The Ray Family

Ethan Barrett Ray was born August 23rd in St. Cloud. Shortly after birth, it was discovered that he had a Tracheoesophageal Fistula which is an abnormal connection in one or more places between the esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and the trachea (the tube that leads from the throat to the windpipe and lungs). Normally, the esophagus and the trachea are two separate tubes that are not connected. When a baby with a TE fistula swallows, the liquid can pass through the abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. When this happens, liquid gets into the baby's lungs. His esophagus was also not fully developed and not connected from the throat to the stomach. 

Ethan was transported to the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital in Minneapolis and had surgery on August 25th to remove the connection between the trachea and esophagus but unfortunately they were unable to connect the top part of the esophagus to the stomach on. He will need to remain at the U of M for six weeks to continue growing before they can attempt the connection again.