An EA/TEF Update: Oliver’s Story
An EA/TEF update on families who told their stories in previous EA/TEF Awareness Months means a lot to our community. Today, busy mom and guest blogger, Kelly Simpson is back with an update on her son Oliver, whom readers met during EA/TEF Awareness Month, 2023. I hope you enjoy hearing about his progress in the past year as much as I did.
Oliver’s Story
- Normal ultrasounds and no issues caught or seen during pregnancy.
- Born at 39 weeks.
- C-section due to coning.
- Born unable to swallow: OBGYN and Oliver’s doctor on call decided to have Oliver transferred to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Kentucky.
- Diagnosed with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF) Type C.
- EA/TEF repair two days after birth.
- 19-day stay in the NICU.
Life after the NICU:
- At 6 weeks Oliver started to have problems swallowing milk. His pediatrician suggested an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. A swallow test confirmed narrowing of the esophagus. Esophageal dilation (stretching of the esophagus) at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and again at 12 weeks.
- At 6 weeks he was also diagnosed with tracheomalacia or floppy trachea, which leads to extra movement with crying, laughing, or coughing. Most kids sound like a goose, and cough is deep sounding like a bark.
- At 4 months, he was escorted to Norton’s Children for respiratory distress. He was placed in the ICU for a week with aid from a ventilator.
- At 6 months old, he had a second ICU stay for a week for respiratory distress, aid from a ventilator.
- At 10 months old, he had a 4-day ICU stay for respiratory distress.
- Received an airway clearance vest to help keep his airway clear.
- Age 3 included multiple cases of pneumonia
- Age 4 saw multiple cases of pneumonia
An EA/TEF update since last year’s story:
- Oliver is almost 5 years old.
- He is healthy and in the 98th percentile for both weight and height. What a blessing!
- He has not needed an esophageal dilation since he was 12 weeks old.
- Eats and drinks normally with no restrictions.
- Does require a little extra water with meals just in case.
- Loves to run!
- Starts Kindergarten in the Fall!
What a wonderful EA/TEF update!
By Kelly Simpson
Kelly has lived her whole life in Kentucky. She and her husband, Jeremy, have a four-year-old son, who, born during a deployment, was diagnosed with tracheoesophageal fistula. She has always felt a calling to serve others and is living the dream as an Army wife, middle school teacher, and now, as an encourager to those who are living a dream different than they had planned.
Meet Jolene
EZ Socks
Subscribe for Updates from Jolene
Related Posts
Why Did God Make Me this Way?
Guest blogger Steve Siler tells the story of his answer to his son’s question: “Why did God make me this way?”
Can Churches Help Families Raising Children with Disabilities Stay Together?
Can churches help families raising children with disabilities stay together? Guest blogger Mark Arnold explains his opinion.
The Physical Manifestations of Grief in Caregivers
Jolene explains how the heaviness of loss and sorrow can contribute to the physical manifestations of grief in caregivers.
0 Comments