Katlyn Bliss
TrachKid Profile
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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 decannulated 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
History
- Blog
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- Member for
- 33 weeks 5 days
Location
- Country
- United States
- State/Province
- Ohio
