Today was a day that we all knew would come...yet weren't quite sure how we would handle it. It all started at around noon when Nana met a good friend, Nancy, for lunch at a local cafe. She took Noah along for the ride and they all enjoyed sitting out on the patio. Nana and Nancy were chowing down on their salads while Noah was sitting in his stroller feeding through his NG tube. Nana noticed that he looked uncomfortable – kicking his legs around and waving his arms. He occasionally does this during a feeding because of the pain associated with his acid reflux. Nana reached down to pick him up out of his stroller and noticed that he looked VERY blue. She immediately grabbed him, laid him on the table, and quickly turned on the suction machine thinking that his trach was plugged up with mucus. While attempting to suction Noah, she noticed that his trach was completely out of his trachea – hence the not breathing and turning blue.
While at Children's Hospital, getting our initial training in trach care, we were told that trachs do occasionally come out. You never know when it might happen so you need to be prepared with extra trachs at all times.
Nana immediately put the old trach, which was still strapped around his neck, back in while Nancy called 911. Noah began to breath again, yet was still fairly pale. It was decided that a trip to the pediatrician's office was in order so the three of them headed off. Once at the office, Noah's blood oxygen level was tested and it was not as high as it should be. A decision was made, that for safety's sake, Noah should go to the Children's Hospital ER. Noah had his second trip in an ambulance and Nana got to ride up in front. During the ride, Daddy was called and he jumped in the car and met them in the ER. Many wonderful nurses and doctors took care of Noah and made sure he was doing well. After an x-ray (to check the trach's placement), cuddles from Daddy, a scrub down to get the salad dressing out of his hair, and time to relax and play on the gurney, Noah was deemed OK and discharged. It wasn't until after my students had gone home for the day that Daddy called me and told me what had happened. Nana said that I missed all the excitement while at work.
As I sit here, and reflect upon the day, I am completely amazed by my mother. She was so very calm and collected and did everything right in the moment of crisis. I have always looked up to and admired the awesome woman who has taught me so much. Even during this emergency, she gives thanks and praise to God for steering her through it. She said she knew the hands of God were guiding her every move. I feel I have so much more to learn from her. Thanks Mom for all that you have and all that you will do - I love you!
We use special tubes that lock into the G-Tube. So far, Noah has tolerated his feeds quite well. He started out with 30 ml (that's one ounce) every three hours and we have added 5 ml to each feed. We're hoping to get up to 100 ml (just over three ounces) per feeding. If Noah can tolerate that amount, Dr. Hodge says we can go home tomorrow. Yippee!!! 
Noah enjoys "helping" me hold the syringe. 
The most amazing part about this weekend has been the lack of vomit. Noah normally pukes after every feed. We wake up at least once every night to clean him and the mess he makes. He goes through a minimum of four changes of clothing every day. Because of the fundoplication procedure, Noah now smells like a baby rather than acid and curdled milk. It has truly been a glorious couple of days.
