Anyone else live in VA besides Jackie and Susan?

[Michael's mom]

I am wondering if any other moms/dads/patients live in VA? We are having a get together soon with 3 children with trachs and would love more company. If so, please post before 4/27. Thanks! Sue http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael's mom]

WELCOME, WOODBRIDGE!!! Oh, that's wonderful! Too bad you didn't get ahold of us until now! You missed a great party! I'm Susan, and I'm in Fredericksburg, about 40 mins. south of you - 30 if you drive like I do http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Michael was full term, intubated at birth, trached at 26 days. He has tracheomalacia, broncheomalacia, which means his throat is "floppy" from the trach to his actual lungs. Above the trach he has subglottic stenosis, closed off almost totally. He just turned 1 year old, is very chubby (23 pounds), tall (30 inches), cute as a button, and always has a cheerful attitude! He also has hypotonia, so he is just now learning to sit! He's catching up though and we hope he'll walk by 2. I'd love to get together with you some time. I work full time, so send me an email if you want to get together. I was thinking of having a pool party in June. Yeah, trachs and pools...sounds scary, but those blow-up seats with rings around them should work okay, right? I'll try it first, then have a party! I so much enjoyed getting together with Susan (Ali's mom) and Jackie (Jay's mom). For once, I didn't feel like people were staring, or like Michael had something "wrong" with him. So tell us about you! Susan

[Jimmysmom]

Hello Tanja

Before now I had only knew about 2 other families in Rockingham Co. I can't believe we are so close. My son Jimmy is 3 and is diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome. He has a trach and is vent dependent and has a g-tube. He also has hypotonia so he is unable to sit independently or walk, but just took his first ride on the Merry Go Round today at the fair. YEAH!! I would love to get together with you sometime. Jimmy was diagnosed when he was 6 mo old and spent four months over at UVA and Kluge Center. I've kept up with one family that we shared a room with whose son is about the same age and also has trach and vent and we get together about once a month.

If you would like to e-mail me privately that would be fine, my e-mail is sixftall2@aol.com.

Hope to hear from you soon

Anne, mom to Jimmy ( 3) Guillian Barre Syndrome, trach, vent dependent, g-tube and starts school in 2 weeks !!!