Thursday, February 2, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Our adventure being SNOWED IN!
The snow has finally decided to show up...
Leave it to mother nature to be not to late - just fashionably late.
I might not love it however Mason thinks it is magical; he also thinks that because it is snowing the tree needs to be put back up and that Santa is coming (again)
What a funny little boy!
Since the snow has hit we have literally not been able to leave our house (safely that is). The roads that lead to civilization are literally closed due to the amount of snow turned into ice. In fact this morning as we tried to venture out I thought for sure we would end up in the ditch like almost everyone else. Luckily we didn't and we made it home!!!!
Sounds like we live in the middle of no-where which is not the case just on top of a big hill that we can not get down.
I would rather not take the snow however we have had some fun the past few days playing with our little ball of energy. Pure joy is watching him keep up with the neighborhood kids!
WE ARE BLESSED.
If you have snow, be safe and make the most of it... If you don't, can I send it your way?
Leave it to mother nature to be not to late - just fashionably late.
I might not love it however Mason thinks it is magical; he also thinks that because it is snowing the tree needs to be put back up and that Santa is coming (again)
What a funny little boy!
Since the snow has hit we have literally not been able to leave our house (safely that is). The roads that lead to civilization are literally closed due to the amount of snow turned into ice. In fact this morning as we tried to venture out I thought for sure we would end up in the ditch like almost everyone else. Luckily we didn't and we made it home!!!!
Sounds like we live in the middle of no-where which is not the case just on top of a big hill that we can not get down.
I would rather not take the snow however we have had some fun the past few days playing with our little ball of energy. Pure joy is watching him keep up with the neighborhood kids!
WE ARE BLESSED.
One excited kid... I actually should probably say TWO excited kids
I am not sure who enjoyed themselves more... Mason or Luke?
Getting pulled around in his sled - throwing snowballs at us :)
Mason of course thought it was soooo funny to throw the snow at Luke (using a shovel)
If you have snow, be safe and make the most of it... If you don't, can I send it your way?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I know...
We get out of the hospital and I stop writing. So I apologize - life just seems to move at a much faster rate once you step back into reality.
You have to juggle and wear many different hats once you get discharged so I prioritize and sitting down to write hits the bottom of the list.
Mason continues to thrive. He is an amazing gift that we are given EVERYDAY and I continue feel overwhelming blessed with the outcome.
When we started down this journey almost 4 years ago I could have never imagined that things would have turned out so.... (do I dare say it) PERFECT!
We had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!
Mason received a fire truck from Santa - To bad the elves let the one that doesn't work come to our house. So sadly we had to return it to the North Pole. We told Mason that Santa would surely bring him a new one... We are still patiently waiting for it to arrive (Mom and Dad can not find a fire truck anywhere. We are hoping a new shipment of trucks come in with the new year!)
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and News Years!!!1
We get out of the hospital and I stop writing. So I apologize - life just seems to move at a much faster rate once you step back into reality.
You have to juggle and wear many different hats once you get discharged so I prioritize and sitting down to write hits the bottom of the list.
Mason continues to thrive. He is an amazing gift that we are given EVERYDAY and I continue feel overwhelming blessed with the outcome.
When we started down this journey almost 4 years ago I could have never imagined that things would have turned out so.... (do I dare say it) PERFECT!
We had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!
Mason received a fire truck from Santa - To bad the elves let the one that doesn't work come to our house. So sadly we had to return it to the North Pole. We told Mason that Santa would surely bring him a new one... We are still patiently waiting for it to arrive (Mom and Dad can not find a fire truck anywhere. We are hoping a new shipment of trucks come in with the new year!)
Mason sitting in his "non-moving" fire truck!
Hanging out with his Horsey G'ma before the Santa run!
Grandma, Auntie, Mason and Kara - patiently waiting for the firemen and Santa to arrive while the rest of us stayed warm inside!
Daddy and Mason - The sounds of the sirens were loud so in true Mason form; he covered his ears!
Mason and Ry opening gifts and Nana and Papa Johns
Auntie and her favorite gift :)
Annual cousins picture...
I got crafty and made LAUNDRY DETERGENT!
(Yes you read that correctly)
Mason and Papa
The beat the Santa with a mallet :)
One happy (and spoiled) little boy!
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and News Years!!!1
Thursday, December 1, 2011
WE ARE HOME!!!!
I had no idea that getting
discharged from the hospital this time would come with such emotions. I
couldn’t help but cry, cry and cry some more. Of course I was happy – I felt
like the weight of the world suddenly was lifted off of my shoulders and for
the first time in almost four years I could breathe a little easier. We made it
– we beat the odds; with a healthy thriving little warrior.
I also felt a huge sense of
sorrow for all of the parents who had to take this same walk with out their
child. I couldn’t imagine bearing that cross and the day of our discharge – I
thought of each family I had meet whose child hadn’t made it.
Discharge day was
bittersweet and filled with emotions. We are SO VERY GRATEFUL for Seattle Children’s;
the surgeons, the doctors, the nurses, all of the cardiac staff…Mason is alive
because of them.
When Mason was first
diagnosed we knew that the outcome could have been different; we knew what we
were up against but believed with the team in Seattle
We will be eternally
grateful for the entire team of people who helped give us the outcome we have
today… A THRIVING LITTLE BOY; and we are especially thankful for his surgeon,
Dr. McMullan. We are so thankful that years ago he chose this as his specialty,
that he was given this incredible talent, a steady hand and the gift to mend
broken hearts. He is an outstanding person and an incredible surgeon. We thank
God everyday for him.
It is crazy because as
parents you think that it is your job to teach your children… and it is. But
the reality is that if you let them they teach you. Through Mason we have
learned real strength, pure beauty, and how to fully rely on our faith. We have
learned that your life should be counted by
Sunday, November 27, 2011
defining THANKFULNESS
If you came looking for an update on Mason it is below.
This post is all about defining THANKFULNESS. After all we did all just celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday!
This sums up a video I just got done watching. Powerful!
THANKFULNESS...
BONDS FAMILIES
STRENGTHENS FRIENDSHIPS
UNITES COMMUNITIES
THANKFULNESS IS THE...
DEFENSE AGAINST MATERIALISM
ENEMY OF ENTITLEMENT
CURE FOR SELF PITY
THANKFULNESS...
IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT
WAS MODELED BY THE SON
HONORS THE FATHER
THANKFULNESS...
IS BORN OUT OF HUMILITY
SUSTAINS FAITHFULNESS
IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JOY
LEADS TO GENEROSITY
THANKFULNESS IS...
A COMMAND FROM GOD
AN ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE
A CONDITION OF THE HEART
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
FOR HE IS GOOD
HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
PSALM 107:1
I have SOOO much to be thankful for!
I pray that THANKFULNESS would always be the condition of our hearts!
This post is all about defining THANKFULNESS. After all we did all just celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday!
This sums up a video I just got done watching. Powerful!
THANKFULNESS...
BONDS FAMILIES
STRENGTHENS FRIENDSHIPS
UNITES COMMUNITIES
THANKFULNESS IS THE...
DEFENSE AGAINST MATERIALISM
ENEMY OF ENTITLEMENT
CURE FOR SELF PITY
THANKFULNESS...
IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT
WAS MODELED BY THE SON
HONORS THE FATHER
THANKFULNESS...
IS BORN OUT OF HUMILITY
SUSTAINS FAITHFULNESS
IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JOY
LEADS TO GENEROSITY
THANKFULNESS IS...
A COMMAND FROM GOD
AN ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE
A CONDITION OF THE HEART
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
FOR HE IS GOOD
HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
PSALM 107:1
I have SOOO much to be thankful for!
I pray that THANKFULNESS would always be the condition of our hearts!
Set Back Diverted
Good news: Putting Mason on oxygen yesterday and last night helped to decrease the air around his lung (his collapsed lung is healing). So they decided to NOT put back in another chest tube (AMEN).
His x-ray shows some fluid built up around his lungs but not enough to be overly concerned so they have increased his diuretics (helps the body to eliminate fluid) to hopefully help get rid of it.
The plan for today is the same as yesterday… While Mason is in his room, in bed or sleeping he needs to be on an oxygen mask to move the rest of the air. Like before they encourage him to be out of bed playing as much as possible and since his chest tube is out – we no longer need a nurse to escort us every where we want to go. We can go anywhere we want.
So our first stop was to meet his Nana at the hospital doors. (YAY elevator ride)
Our second stop the PLAYROOM… Mason played for 1 ½ hours and when we left he wasn’t even tired… I even think the amount of energy he had surprised him.
Early this morning I was afraid things were not going to go our way. The nurse told me at 4am that they put Mason as a NPO patient (Nil per os which is a medical term meaning to withhold oral foods and liquids). The reason for this order was that if they needed to put in a chest tube they would have to sedated him and take him back into the operating room… I was convinced that was a bad sign. (Should have had more faith)
During rounds with Dr. McMullan we even heard the D word (DISCHARGE). Instead of waiting of his chest tube drainage we are now waiting on the air in his lungs. Guess it keeps our journey interesting.
Here is how the D word got brought up…if Mason makes as much progress as he made last night – tonight; tomorrow could be the magical day!!!!
I am trying not to get to excited; because that could just lead to a large disappointment and due to exhaustion I don’t handle those well however I have started to pack to go home! We are all beyond ready even though if you ask Mason if he wants to leave he says “No I will stay here”… Crazy kid!
Mason and his Nana
Enjoy your Sunday!
His x-ray shows some fluid built up around his lungs but not enough to be overly concerned so they have increased his diuretics (helps the body to eliminate fluid) to hopefully help get rid of it.
The plan for today is the same as yesterday… While Mason is in his room, in bed or sleeping he needs to be on an oxygen mask to move the rest of the air. Like before they encourage him to be out of bed playing as much as possible and since his chest tube is out – we no longer need a nurse to escort us every where we want to go. We can go anywhere we want.
So our first stop was to meet his Nana at the hospital doors. (YAY elevator ride)
Our second stop the PLAYROOM… Mason played for 1 ½ hours and when we left he wasn’t even tired… I even think the amount of energy he had surprised him.
Early this morning I was afraid things were not going to go our way. The nurse told me at 4am that they put Mason as a NPO patient (Nil per os which is a medical term meaning to withhold oral foods and liquids). The reason for this order was that if they needed to put in a chest tube they would have to sedated him and take him back into the operating room… I was convinced that was a bad sign. (Should have had more faith)
During rounds with Dr. McMullan we even heard the D word (DISCHARGE). Instead of waiting of his chest tube drainage we are now waiting on the air in his lungs. Guess it keeps our journey interesting.
Here is how the D word got brought up…if Mason makes as much progress as he made last night – tonight; tomorrow could be the magical day!!!!
I am trying not to get to excited; because that could just lead to a large disappointment and due to exhaustion I don’t handle those well however I have started to pack to go home! We are all beyond ready even though if you ask Mason if he wants to leave he says “No I will stay here”… Crazy kid!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
A minor set back
Well we have taken a step forward as well as a step backwards…
Mason's drainage in his right chest tube has been decreasing for the past 3 days; yesterday he only had 37 cc’s out and the two prior days only about 50 cc’s.
So this morning I was feeling optimistic that if his x-ray looked good they would consider pulling it out. This morning’s x-ray was at 5:30am (like EVERY morning; no sleep for this Momma or child) and rounds took place at 8:00am. The decision was to leave the tube in place for one more day. Of course I was disappointment but this is better than pulling it to earlier and having to replace it later. So I make the choice to have a good attitude even though by day this is getting harder to do – I need sleep, my own bed and a massage wouldn't hurt.
By this afternoon Mason’s chest tube drainage for the day was at 0. This kind of drop always sets up some alarms because they want to make sure that fluid is not building around the lungs and that the chest tubes are doing their job… So the Doctors went back and took a more in depth look at his morning x-rays and determined that the chest tube placement was off and was not working so they would need to immediately remove it to prevent air from entering his lung cavity.
At this time – My Mom was in the room sitting with Mason; I had left for a shower and Greg ran to the fed-ex store to send off some t-shirts. They gave him some additional pain medication and told her they would be removing it within the next 30 minutes. So my “shower” became non-existent so that I could be with him while they pulled the tube. Luckily Greg also made it back… He is the best at calming both Mason and myself down.
The tube was pulled around 3pm and immediately following they took Mason into x-ray (again). This is completely normal and the purpose is to see if he had air or fluid around his lungs.
Our step backwards – Since his tube placement wasn’t properly in place (reason unknown – probably due to how active he is; it some how got pulled out) and hadn’t been in place for awhile (possibly 24 hours) the x-ray showed that his right lung has started to collapse.
So our game plan for tonight (AND WE NEED PRAYERS THAT THIS WILL WORK) is to put him back onto an oxygen mask to try and expand his lung. If tonight he has problems breathing or tomorrow in his x-ray he does not show progress they will have to re-insert his chest tube. This would be a large step backwards and would be very painful for him.
The other area of concern is that his chest tube was not ready to come out and that fluid will continue to build around his lungs. If this happens they would also need to re-insert the chest tube (PRAYERS FOR THIS WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED).
Despite our set backs today Mason looks and feels wonderful. HE IS AMAZING!
When trying to convince him to wear his mask we explained that it would help make his lungs bigger so we would not need another tube(he fully understands the tube part)… His response “NO – I don’t want a bigger tummy” once he realized that his lungs did not mean his tummy he decided he would wear his mask like a champ!!!!
I of course am biased but he truly is the bravest little boy I know.
WE ARE PRAYING AND BELIEVING FOR GOOD NEWS TOMORROW! If we get our good news this could mean discharge within the next 48 hours!
Thanks for standing with us in faith!
Mason's drainage in his right chest tube has been decreasing for the past 3 days; yesterday he only had 37 cc’s out and the two prior days only about 50 cc’s.
So this morning I was feeling optimistic that if his x-ray looked good they would consider pulling it out. This morning’s x-ray was at 5:30am (like EVERY morning; no sleep for this Momma or child) and rounds took place at 8:00am. The decision was to leave the tube in place for one more day. Of course I was disappointment but this is better than pulling it to earlier and having to replace it later. So I make the choice to have a good attitude even though by day this is getting harder to do – I need sleep, my own bed and a massage wouldn't hurt.
By this afternoon Mason’s chest tube drainage for the day was at 0. This kind of drop always sets up some alarms because they want to make sure that fluid is not building around the lungs and that the chest tubes are doing their job… So the Doctors went back and took a more in depth look at his morning x-rays and determined that the chest tube placement was off and was not working so they would need to immediately remove it to prevent air from entering his lung cavity.
At this time – My Mom was in the room sitting with Mason; I had left for a shower and Greg ran to the fed-ex store to send off some t-shirts. They gave him some additional pain medication and told her they would be removing it within the next 30 minutes. So my “shower” became non-existent so that I could be with him while they pulled the tube. Luckily Greg also made it back… He is the best at calming both Mason and myself down.
The tube was pulled around 3pm and immediately following they took Mason into x-ray (again). This is completely normal and the purpose is to see if he had air or fluid around his lungs.
Our step backwards – Since his tube placement wasn’t properly in place (reason unknown – probably due to how active he is; it some how got pulled out) and hadn’t been in place for awhile (possibly 24 hours) the x-ray showed that his right lung has started to collapse.
So our game plan for tonight (AND WE NEED PRAYERS THAT THIS WILL WORK) is to put him back onto an oxygen mask to try and expand his lung. If tonight he has problems breathing or tomorrow in his x-ray he does not show progress they will have to re-insert his chest tube. This would be a large step backwards and would be very painful for him.
The other area of concern is that his chest tube was not ready to come out and that fluid will continue to build around his lungs. If this happens they would also need to re-insert the chest tube (PRAYERS FOR THIS WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED).
Despite our set backs today Mason looks and feels wonderful. HE IS AMAZING!
When trying to convince him to wear his mask we explained that it would help make his lungs bigger so we would not need another tube(he fully understands the tube part)… His response “NO – I don’t want a bigger tummy” once he realized that his lungs did not mean his tummy he decided he would wear his mask like a champ!!!!
I of course am biased but he truly is the bravest little boy I know.
WE ARE PRAYING AND BELIEVING FOR GOOD NEWS TOMORROW! If we get our good news this could mean discharge within the next 48 hours!
Thanks for standing with us in faith!
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