Mmmm...Mmmmm.......Barium

Since the beginning of November, Jackson has battled several colds. Three of which have landed him back on the usual dose of Prednisone. After leaving the pediatrician's office with the third prescription in hand, I started thinking. (Yeah, I know, watch out.) Why is he suddenly having such a hard time now? We were doing so well.

So it occurred to me...
A little over a month ago, we were playing in our family room after dinner one evening when I heard Jackson burp. I was mildly alarmed, but remembered the surgeons saying that over time the Nissen would loosen.
On the 14th of December, Jackson was sent home (along with just about every other kid in his daycare) with a nasty GI bug. And while it was mostly diarrhea, around 3am that night I awakened by the sound of sputtering and coughing and went to his room to find he was vomiting, or at least attempting to. While only a small amount came up (I was able to plug his extension tube into his G-tube which helped!) I am almost certain that he did aspirate some. A few days later we were in the Pediatrician's office with a nasty cough (croup) for which she prescribed a three day course of steroids. And while he did have some improvement with that treatment, a week to the day we were back in her office for a different kind of nasty cough, mild retractions and wheezing. Another five day course of steroids followed. He improved and for a day or so his cough disappeared. It is however back again.

So it would seem that our little Man is aspirating again. Why now, you ask? Well two reasons come to mind: The first is that last winter he wasn't allowed any liquids, now he drinks apple juice, water and milk like a champ, and is apparently aspirating just enough to aggravate his little lungs (like they need it!). Secondly, it seems his Nissen is loosening. Something that may or may not be easily dealt with. If we can start reflux meds and prevent anything from unnecessarily traveling back up his esophogaus that would help. So it seems we are headed back to Hopkins for yet another Modified Barium Swallow Study and a Barium GI Study.

He is however making great strides with his communication. While he is still not "talking", his dign language has improved and increased in frequency. So we are big on the signs. One of my New Year's resolutions is to teach him one sign a day. That may be an enormous stretch but we'll give it the old college try.....