Upper Airway (Apnea) Appointment:

We kicked off 2019 with an 8:15am follow-up to the hellish CPAP calibration. 

We weren’t seen until about 9am for our appointment. Sadly common for this department. Dr. Shott is actually the best of the best unfortunately, especially for kids with Ds. 

After viewing Hannah’s scope and seeing her poor toleration of the CPAP, Dr. Shott agreed we can move forward with the supraglottoplasty. 

The main reason for apnea is Hannah’s small mouth housing a regular-sized tongue. But the scope clearly shows excess tissue on the vestibular folds (is what I believe they showed us). The supraglottoplasty will remove excess tissue and hopefully alleviate some of this closure while sleeping. The procedure is 50/50 that it will ease the apnea. Hannah is measuring at 6 episodes an hour which is considered “moderate” apnea. 5 episodes is considered “mild” apnea. 

Tim and I are willing to do this procedure versus fighting a long battle with CPAP. It’s way easier than the T&A. One night inpatient and healed in about three days - versus 11-14 days with the T&A. 

Procedure is Jan 22nd (already!), follow up sleep study mid-March, follow-up to the sleep study is mid-May - ! That’s how in-demand and sought-after this department is. 

Wish us luck!