Jereth got to see the younger four of his siblings for the first time since the Wednesday before we left Idaho. While he was in the PICU the children under 12 were not allowed to visit, so when the family got here Tuesday night JD, Karianne, Dustin, and Sam had to wait in the waiting room but were not able to see Jereth. Each of them were able to hold him today and they really enjoyed being with him.
Today's test was a barium swallow where his ability to swallow was viewed using a liquid containing the radioactive element, barium, and x-ray. He aspirated a thin liquid or got some down his windpipe, but he was able to cough the liquid back out. He swallowed the thick liquid without incident.
Based on the results of the barium swallow study I was able to give him a bottle for the first time in almost 2 weeks. The first time he had the bottle he drank 15 mL and probably would have taken more if there had been more available. The second time he was not interested in the bottle and took less than 4 mL. We'll see how he does with the bottle tomorrow.
The cardiologists are really wanting to get him off oxygen, so he is back on the higher flow room air. I think they are trying to figure out a way to send us home with pressurized air to keep his trachea open. The bronchioscope from Monday showed that his trachea closes almost completely when he breathes in and when he breathes out. The pressurized air keeps his trachea open when he breathes. He also arches his back to keep that airway open. The good news is his breathing has really quieted down. It's not as quiet as a child without malacia but it is much quieter than than before.
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