We were back up at Doernbecher today for Iris’ follow up bronchoscopy with Dr. Milczuk. Her procedure was fairly quick (good sign) and Dr. Milczuk was smiling as he approached me afterward (very good sign). He showed me images of her airway on his laptop and I wish I had the photos to post because the difference in the before and after images is literally night vs. day.

Dr. Milczuk is pleased with her progress so Iris won’t need another bronchoscopy until September.

When we started this journey, Iris needed repairs for; pulmonary artery sling, a large ASD (atrial septal defect), and tracheal stenosis. Her ASD is repaired. Her tracheal stenosis is repaired. Her pulmonary artery sling is repaired. The only step remaining is to put a stent in her pulmonary artery because it’s tiny. Too tiny. So once she’s healed, she will have a stent put in. We don’t know the timing yet but should find out during our appointment with Dr. Armsby next week.

Iris was so hungry before her bronchoscopy today. The procedure was late morning and she wasn’t allowed to eat since last night. All she wanted was an egg. Some kids crave candy, Iris craves hard boiled eggs. Fortunately I found one at the Starbucks in the lobby and had it waiting for her when she woke up .. which helped her get through the anesthesia fog. My remarkable little warrior and her simple pleasures.

We’re very thankful for this good day.

Here is Iris before her procedure: