Faith Edona Reming

Above: This picture was taken a few days ago. Faith has a much happier look now. In fact today when I walked in and said, "Hi Faith" she smiled! This was the first time she has had a reactive smile! Below: Faith's room; It may not have butterflies, but it'll do for now.

Today Faith had another bronchoscopy which confirmed what we already knew; The reason Faith has not had the easiest time breathing is because of her tracheal malacia. We saw a video of the bronch which really helped- the bronchioles are supposed to be round like a straw. Faith's are oval- when she "clamps down" they become like a pinched straw and she cannot breathe. The ventilator stints open her bronchioles allowing air to flow. While her bronchioles will never become circular shaped, as she grows her airway will get bigger. So basically Faith will need a ventilator until her airway is big enough to allow air to pass through her tubes. We have been told that a few years growth is adequate. Since re-venting we have noticed a big change in Faith. She looks the best she has ever looked. She is much more relaxed. Before we thought she was just a really fussy baby. She would freak out at the smallest things- changing her diaper would set her off. Now we can change her diaper and she is content. She is finally able to breathe! I don't think anyone suspected that this would come to being supported by a ventilator 24/7 but hind sight is 20/20. So the goal this week is to get Faith out of the ICU and up to a main floor. Her vent settings need to come down, and her blood gases need to be stable then we will be out of the "critical" zone.
Well thanks again everyone! Faith sure has a big family!
Brian and Jen