Teryn's Mommy: Terrified Blessing

After Teryn's surgery everything was going well and we received good reports from plastic surgery as well as anesthesia. We were told we could most likely go home the next morning. Because of the 4 hour car ride I was in no hurry and told them we were okay with staying another day. As I noted in my previous post Teryn had quite a bleeding episode later on post-op day one. We definitely didn't want to go home yet until we knew this was under control. The next morning we were set for discharge and things were looking good. We began packing everything and dressing Teryn. Her nurse came in to give her morning meds before we got on the road. I have told each nurse that her meds have to be given VERY slowly and they always comply but our definition of slow is even slower than what most consider slow. I have learned through much trial and error that if there is not enough of a break between her meds and feeds or if she gets too much volume at one then she will vomit.

James and I were gathering everything while Teryn was getting her meds and I heard her make the sound that I know is her cue she is trying to keep something down but is about to vomit. I told the nurse what was about to happen. I sat Teryn up and sure enough, up came her meds. She was choking and retching and began turning gray. I told the nurse she couldn't breathe so she grabbed the oxygen to give her a little blow by. She wasn't improving any. Before the palate repair things would come out her nose if she vomited or refluxed but now that can't happen. I think because it was thick and she still isn't sure how to work this new mouth of hers she panicked because she didn't know how to clear her airway. I knew she was about to pass out and as soon as I said this to the nurse she did. Usually if she passes out from a breath holding spell (and once before from vomiting) voluntary mechanisms take over. This time a soon as she tried to come back she still couldn't breath and went limp. Another nurse had walked into the room and was trying to get the Ambu (oxygen) bag. We were stimulating her and couldn't get any response. Both nurses started yelling "code" and within a few seconds there were over 20 people in the room all yelling information at each other. At this point I finally stepped back into the corner of the room and watched this surreal event as I prayed and begged to God. I could only comprehend some of the things that were being said around me but one thing rang very clear. The doctor who took over her airway said "I still don't see any chest rise." If someone had stabbed me it couldn't have hurt worse than those words. She yelled for them to get the board under Teryn as they were about to begin CPR. A few seconds later she began taking breaths. She opened her eyes for a few seconds and then went to sleep.
About that time her plastic surgeon came running in and they all began talking about ways to keep her airway open without compromise of her palate repair. The "trumpet" you see in her nose in the pic below was the agreed upon solution. The doctors began asking me further questions about her history. James was standing in the doorway as he had moved when the rush of people came in. We had the same fear in our eyes and then the staff began checking on us.
They decided to move her up to ICU and consult pediatric surgery. I will explain why in a moment. But first I have to make sure you understand why this was a terrified blessing......we were less than 10 minutes from leaving the hospital. We were about to get in a car and make a long drive home. During this ordeal she stopped breathing approximately 2 minutes. I don't dare to think how long it may have been if we were not at the hospital.
The reason pediatric surgery was called in for a consult: When Teryn was 3 1/2 weeks old she had a procedure done called a Nissen Fundoplication. Essentially a flap of her stomach was wrapped around her esophagus to prevent reflux. Over time and other surgical revision surgeries she has had it may have come loose because her reflux is still so bad. The thought is that if the Nissen is loose she may be at a much higher risk of aspiration now that she has a full palate and things can't escape from her nose. *(I should note here that a chest xray was performed after yesterday's episode and her lungs are clear. Praise God!!!)
So the plan is to give her a couple days rest and on Monday morning she will go for testing to determine the integrity of the Nissen. If the tests do in fact show it is loose then we will either need to go back to the feeding tube that bypasses her stomach (g/j) or have a Nissen revision surgery. Another surgery is a scary thing right now but without it we still will not be able to begin feeding therapy anytime soon.
Please pray with us that the right decisions will be made and that all needed wisdom will be presented before the making of these decisions. No matter what, GOD is in control. I know He has an amazing purpose for Teryn's life. Part of that purpose is that you are reading these words right now. I hope you realize that God is in control in your circumstance as well.

Here are a few ICU pictures. Teryn has been feeling a little better and wanting to sit up and roll. One of the nurses got her a chair so she could sit up on her own. The device you see in her nose is the "trumpet" I mentioned to help keep her tongue forward and her airway open.