Her mother, Janet, tells Action News the 10-year-old lung transplant patient will undergo an operation to put in a trachea tube.
That should be more comfortable than the current breathing tube that goes down her nose and throat.
The tube could allow Sarah to speak and eat while on ventilator and move around easier.
In a Facebook post Thursday night, Sarah's mom said, "I know it is the right decision at this point . . . . I am simultaneously heartbroken."
Here is the complete statement from Janet Murnaghan:
Sarah will go into surgery first thing tomorrow morning for a tracheostomy. (A tracheostomy is an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the lungs.)
The trach tube will replace the breathing tube that currently goes down her nose and throat and will be temporary.
Sarah needs a trach because she has been on long term ventilator support and the wean off the support is slow as a result of how sick she was going into transplant, as well as, the setbacks we've had since transplant (pneumonia in one of her lungs).
The tracheostomy tube is a better long-term option: 1. It's more comfortable than the endotracheal tube in the mouth or nose. 2. It will allow Sarah to speak, eat and drink while getting ventilator support. 3. She can get out of bed easier and do more aggressive physical rehab. 4. We, eventually, could go home on ventilator support with a more stable airway like a Trachea.
I am disappointed that she needs a trach, for me it is another hardship Sarah must endure, and I wish things would just sail smoothly along. That being said, I know it is the right decision at this point, I have no doubt in my mind. We've prayed about it a lot and debated the pros and cons. So while I am at peace with the decision I am simultaneously heartbroken.
God Bless you all for the love and support.
