Katlyn "Katie" Bliss
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Katlyn "Katie" Bliss (our first child) was born January 24, 1995 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio at 42 weeks gestation. She was quickly taken to the NICU because of breathing difficulties and the inability to be intubated. After 10 days in the NICU and still no answers for her problems, she was transported to Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio for ENT evaluation. This is where we meet Dr. J. Paul Willging, associate of Dr. Robin Cotton.
At 11 days old, Katie received her tracheostomy. She was diagnosed with glottic and subglottic stenosis with over 90% blockage and a vocal cord web. Two very nervous and scared parents learned the skilled care that Katie was going to need by hands on training and the care of a wonderful and very patient respiratory therapist. With the help of a hospital social worker, home nursing and equipment suppliers were setup and Katie came home on February 14, 1995.
The following year, January, 1996, Katie would have her first reconstructive surgery, an LTP (Laryngotracheoplasty with both front and rear grafts.) The surgery went well, however, recovery did not. After going home, Katie developed an infection in the incision site in her neck. She was taken to Children's Medical Center in Dayton via ambulance because of a "Blue spell" only after being home one day. She was diagnosed with having the "Rodo" virus and severe dehydration. After two long weeks, she came home. During the course of the year, she had many follow-up Bronchoscope and the LTP only turned out to be 60% successful. In January, 1997, Katie underwent her second reconstructive surgery (LTP #2). The surgery and recovery was very successful. In June, 1997 Katie was given a Trach cap to be worn during waking hours to get her to learn how to breath through her mouth and nose. All is going great and Katie is schedule for decanulation on August 25, 1997.
Katie has always been healthy. The trach is just a means for her to breath and survive. We also have another daughter, Emily, who was born in December, 1995 right before Katie's first LTP. This has also made life very interesting. We feel blessed that Katie has done so well and cherish all the love and support from our families and Dr. J. Paul Willging.
- Katie Update:
She was decanulated in late 1997 but the stoma site did not close on its own. She under went surgery in June of 1998 to close the stoma and all has been great since. She has had no side effects from the trach removal and we are very thankful for that. She is now involved in a preschool program where she is learn good social skills. Her voice is almost normal, most people can not tell the difference, but she can not scream to loud. Her voice is improving as she gets older and the doctor told us she could have surgery later on in life to help correct possible vocal cord problems.
We hope, wish and pray for every child with conditions like Katie's that they have a successful outcome. We also wish the same for the families.
Thanks for all your support.
- Tom, Susie, Katie and Emily Bliss
blissts@surfbest.net
