A Little Something Extra

Friday, May 16, 2008

Vocal cord paralysis

Micah's left vocal fold is paralyzed. Apparently this occasionally occurs during heart surgery since the nerve runs close to the heart. What does this mean for us? Heartbreak at the thought of not hearing the sweet little coo's we heard before his surgery, constant worry that he will aspirate milk, saliva or medicine into his lungs, and a longer attachment to his feeding tube.

It's so not fair... this poor little guy. After months of anticipating his feeding to improve after his heart surgery, we're now faced with more feeding problems than before. He can only eat on his right side because that lowers the risk of aspirating. He now hardly takes 5 cc's of milk before coughing or gagging.

According to the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor who scoped his throat today, there's about a 20% chance that the nerve damage is temporary. And we know that God is able to heal Micah's vocal cord if He chooses. Please pray with us that this would be God's will for Micah. And please pray that we would rest in the knowledge that God loves Micah and desires His best for him.

3 comments:

Rachel said...

Praying that God would hold both of you up at this time when you feel like it is one thing after another. Praying for a miracle and healing for his sweet voice to come back and for his eating to improve with that as well.
Lots of Hugs and prayers
Rachel Mike and the girls.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennie! I am a good friend of Aaron and Jodi Bauer. We have been praying for your family for the past few weeks. Pastor Engle is our pastor here in Wausau and we also know your neighbors in the NICU!

I feel for you and do understand a bit of what you are going thru. Our 7 month old was born with a brain injury and has a g-tube and does not take in anything orally besides a bit of baby food now and then. When I saw Micah with his g-tube and your posts about how frustrating it is to feed them that way, I felt like I was not alone in this journey! Thanks for sharing. We do not have a blog, but I am debating starting one.

Feel free to email me at sterken3@charter.net if you would like to communicate more.

Know that we continue to pray for strength each day and that you would not look too far into the future but commit it to the Lord and take things ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Love, Kristy

Anonymous said...

Oh Jennie! I cannot imagine all the ups and downs you and Mark - and your whole families! - have experienced. I know I've been out of commission. I'm so sorry. My mom broke her leg last month and I've been caring for her pretty much 24/7. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch more. I have been thinking of you guys, though. I will pray that the Lord would move kindly and powerfully in all of your lives and that He would heal sweet Micah's vocal fold. Sending love, Jodi