When a Cold is Not Just a Cold

Well, we made it through the weekend without making the trek back to the hospital. Sometime on Saturday, we started to think that Mason sounded like he had a cold - coughing that sounded more like congestion than reflux, raspy breathing when he awoke from sleeping, and a little more sneezing. By Sunday, it was clear - Mason has his 1st cold. There were a few times we thought we might be close to taking him to the hospital, but then reminded ourselves that they wouldn't be able to do much more than we could do at home - he's already on another round of steroids. So, we turned up the oxygen a little more, gave another puff or 2 of the Albuterol inhaler, suctioned a little more, and kept the little guy home.

It amazes me that no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't prevent a cold. I don't think my hands will ever be soft again because they get washed so much, we don't take him anywhere but medical appointments, and we don't see any of our family or friends anymore for risk of exposure. But, somehow, some way, the little bug got through. Perhaps he caught it in the hospital, perhaps one of his medical appointments, or perhaps I brought something home from work. We'll never know, and it really doesn't matter. The good thing, though is of all times to get a cold, this was probably the best. He's on the steroids to beef up his lungs, the feeding tube is securely in place and he doesn't have as much puking from reflux, and we now know we can turn up the oxygen for a short time without worrying too much. If he'd had the cold before going into the hospital, we would have been in big trouble, but with the changes, his system can fight it much more effectively.

Hopefully this cold will pass quickly (he's on the steroids for another week, thankfully!) and his system will be that much stronger to fight the next one. I'm sure there will be a next one this winter. Before that, though, he'll get a flu shot and a Synergis shot (to help make sure another cold doesn't turn into a hospitalization), and we'll keep destroying our hands with frequent scrubbings.

I have also put a couple of Blog links over to the side:
The first one is for our cousins Linda, Rob and Ava. Ava was born on September 9th at 27 weeks gestation and is slowly, but surely making progress in the NICU. Linda, her mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the pregnancy and is undergoing chemo treatments for the cancer. Rob is the RockStar dad and husband who is holding everyone together.
The second one is for Mason's buddy from the NICU at St. V's. Joey was Mason's neighbor for a few weeks and we became friends with his parents. Joey recently had surgery to insert a feeding tube into his stomach. He did well with his surgery recovery for a little while, but then ended up with a bacterial pneumonia and had to be placed back on a ventilator. He continues to have a very rough recovery and needs all the prayers he can get to help him get better. We are also praying daily for his mom, dad, and sister as they go through this difficult experience.

On a much lighter note, Bill called me at work today to tell me of a monstrous poo. I'm sure you have seen this before - up the back, all over the clothes, and right before you need to leave to go somewhere. I guess there is a benefit to being back at work - I was already gone!! Mason really loves me; he saves that kind of stuff for Daddy!