Esophagogastroduodenoscopy --> yes it is a word

It's the name of the surgery that my Timothy had this week.

Back in the 5th grade his dilemma began. It was the first time he choked on his food. Not just cough, went down the wrong pipe choke. But choke.

My mom had this problem too. My sister has it. Trouble with their esophagus.

Back to the 5th grade. Tim threw up the food he choked on and was okay. He's done it again a few times, but not every time he eats, not everyday. But last Monday he did it and it was bad. Bad enough that he about scared the pants off of his Dad and I. He choked, but he couldn't get it up. So he kept choking. Jeff was ready to give him the Heimlich, I had my phone out ready to call 911. 

I gave him hot water to drink, that's what my mom used to do. It didn't work at first, but he tried it again and was able to throw up the food. 

That Thursday we went to throat surgeon/specialist, Dr. Barton. 

On Monday, one week after his bad choking episode, he went in for Surgery. A-->    

He was such a trooper. But seriously nervous. I can't say I blame him. They got us back into the room right away, got his IV in, which scared him pretty good, made him stark white and slowed his heart rate (thus the cloth and oxygen). Anyway, after they put the IV in the poor boy had to wait for 2 more hours before surgery. That's no fun when you're already a nervous wreck.

It's hard when anything happens to your babies. 

This was a fairly minor surgery. 

It was still hard. When that 5'10 sweet boy asked me to go back into surgery with him and I had to answer "I can't" it broke my heart. The silent tears on his cheek were worse. 

Here is Tim's esophagus, it is too small. So, Dr. Barton ballooned it. 

(picture below)

The only trouble is now that we've done this, he'll have to do it every couple years, for the rest of his life. --But it's better than choking. 

I am so grateful for modern medicine. I am grateful for healthy happy children.

And I am so grateful for Timothy. He is the ideal older brother. He loves his siblings. He is an excellent example. He is kind and loving. He tries hard. He's helpful. He is amazing!

I love him dearly.