The Ormeo Family & Photography

We finally got her stent out that was put in when she had her LTP with rib graft back in October. Taking the stent out meant complete access to the airway that Dr. Maddern had repaired. When he went in for the original surgery back in October, he found some scarring from being trached for so long but he also found a rare birth defect that would have eventually required her to be trached regardless of her preemie complications (She was born at 26 weeks, well really at 25 weeks and 3 or 4 days). He found she had complete tracheal rings in her lower airway that he had to slice open and repair in addition to his original planned rib graft procedure. The next few months of healing will really be important in determining success of the rib graft, repair of the tracheal rings, and future deccanulation (complete removal of the trach).

But in the mean time, we wait. We are so grateful and so thankful that God gave a beautiful voice to a beautiful little girl! The hubby took this video the day of the removal of the stent. Her voice quality today is different because there’s less swelling internally and she’s really having to learn ‘how’ to talk. Enjoy!