Life of the Rainers

Laryngomalacia

What in the heck is laryngomalacia? I am glad you asked? And I will tell you what it is...

Laryngomalacia (literally, "soft larynx") is a very common condition of infancy, in which the soft, immature cartilage of the upper larynx collapses inward during inhalation, causing airway obstruction. (From Wikipedia)

Why am I so concerned that you know what this is? Well, Canon has it (well we hope this is all it is anyway). We won't know for sure that he has this until he goes and sees the ears, nose, and throat doctor. He has to get a camera put down his nose to diagnose this. We are hoping this is all it is because with Canon's growth he will grow out of it. If this is not what it is, then there will be more series of tests and could possibly need surgery.

For the past 6 weeks Canon has been making gasping noises especially when he is laying down or eating solids. He started making the noises the day we started him on rice cereal so we decided to stop the cereal. The noises actually got better, so we thought he just wasn't ready for solids. Well the noises came back a few weeks later and were becoming more frequent. These noises literally stress Jess and I out. They cause us not to be able to breath - No joke. Canon doesn't seemed to be stressed out though. He just laughs and smiles like he normally does, so since it didn't seem to bother him we thought the noises were his "excited" noise. Last week he was making the gasping noise and I looked over and his upper lip was blue. I immediately picked him up and the lip went back to normal color. Well this weekend he gasped for like 30 minutes straight, so we decided to call the dr. today to see what was going on. Don't think I am a bad mom because I didn't call sooner, Canon never seemed to be in distress and just went along with his business while smiling and laughing.

The dr. seemed to know what was going on after I told her all the symptoms and that he did it while laying down and eating. She seems to really think that he has laryngomalacia, but wants to make sure. She doesn't seem too concerned. So we will keep you updated.

It may seem to some people that Canon has had a lot of things going on, but to be honest I don't really see it that way. He does have reflux and now he most likely has this, but man things could be so much worse. All these things are curable and will go away with time. I am so thankful for God's protection. Yea, the spitting up, coughing, having to have Canon elevated after he eats, and the gasping noises are all annoying at times, but Canon is healthy and so happy. Please don't think for one second that I don't feel badly for Canon and that I am hard hearted because I do feel badly for him and try my hardest to make him comfortable and happy, but I guess I am just putting it in perspective. I do wish that he didn't have any of these things, but am I so ever thankful that these are just minor things... The Lord has blessed our family so much and I praise Him for always protecting us!

I do feel very badly that Canon has to get a camera down his nose, I am not sure how I will handle that, so if you could be in prayer that he will get through it that would be great! Also, please be in prayer that this is the only thing that is going on, nothing else!!

Thanks!!

Love,

Rachel

I posted Easter pics earlier today, so don't forget to scroll down and see that post!