Katie is stable and doing fine. Her vent. settings are very low, the only problem is she's still on the vent. We got a 2nd opinion today. The first doctor told us to start thinking about a tracheostomy (spelling?) if she wasn't successful in the next extubation. Today the 2nd doctor told us that he would like to see Katie have at least 2 more chances to extubate. Then, if she's around 40 weeks gestation (she's 35 weeks gestation today), and still not able to breathe on her own, they would do a broncial scope to get a closer look at her airway, then consider a different surgery.
I can't remember the exact name of what he said, but the problem is that her airway just below her vocal chords is swollen from the tube rubbing. The solution for now is to have her intubted with the smallest tube possible. As she continues to grow over the next few weeks, the hope is that the tube will irritate her airway even less, and the tube will removed without any more problems. She has the smallest tube they have now. Today I could hear her cry around the tube, which is good news. That means the swelling is down, and some air is able to go around the tiny tube.
If, by 40 weeks gestation, she still isn't able stay extubated, then they will look at some other possibilities. Again, I can't remember the medical name for it, but they said that if her airway is still narrowed down from the swelling, there is a procedure they do to open up the airway by 3 or 4 mm. Then, if that doesn't work, we'll look at a tracheostomy. The doctor and respiratory lady today didn't seem to think that would be much of a possibility. They believe her problems are more due to her being small.
Speaking of her size, she weighs 4 lbs 1 oz today. The doctor today also started Katie on Prilosec to try to help her reflux. She's not had bad reflux, just a little spit-up now and then, but he wants to eliminate anything that irritates her throat area.
I feel a lot better about not having to worry so much about surgery. Right now, we're trying to focus on her eye exam on Monday. We hope that her ROP has fixed itself, or at least not gotten worse. Thank you to everyone who checks on us. We love you!