BellaMei's 1st Surgery at home

BellaMei was born with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal fistula.  She had reconstructive surgery a few days after she was born in China. The surgery attached her esophagus to her stomach and closed the connection between her esophagus and trachea. She was in the hospital for two months and had an esophageal dilation during that time. There continues to be (and always will be) narrowing where the reconstruction was done. Today's surgery was to widen the stricture (narrowing) so she can eventually eat more solid foods.

Bria had to tell her little sister good-bye this morning. ♥

Checking in at Riley. Having skipped her morning bottle, she was in a much better mood than I expected!

The surgery went well! He said her esophagus at the stricture was only about 6mm wide. We had been told "purees only" for 10mm or less which makes since now as to why she wasn't tolerating even small, soft foods. She is on a puree/melt-ables (like baby puffs) only diet until her next dilation, which is pretty much what she has been on since we got her anyway. She also was started on reflux medication which she will continue indefinitely to help decrease the scarring at the stricture and decrease cancer-risks as she gets older.

The day ended a little better than it started for our little sugar. We spent the afternoon relaxing in our neighbor's pool. Brynna was entrusted to care for their pets while they are away and received free pool time as part of her payment. ☺