The Dreaded "P" Word

Amazingly, it didn't happen last fall when Mason was spitting up 2-3 times per day. We escaped aspiration pneumonia then, but were not so fortunate this past week. A couple of weeks ago, Mason started spitting up some of his food - it had happened a couple of times since his surgery in December and the surgeon said not to worry. Then, it started happening daily, 2-3x/day. We wondered what might be going wrong, but thought that it was probably the surgery loosening up over time - a known complication. We had hoped that Mason's surgery would last until his lungs got better, but it looked like that wasn't going to be the case. Then, Thursday, I picked up the next round of his anti-reflux medication (Prevacid is only good for 14 days, then we have to get a refill), and the spitting up stopped. So, we figured the spitting up must have been reflux that was overpowering the surgical site. The last batch of his Prevacid must have been ineffective.

Well, it looks like some of the spit up must have made it's way into Mason's lungs last week or the week before. We started noticing an increase in oxygen need last Wednesday and it gradually worsened and worsened until today he was needing 5 liters of oxygen (normally around 2-3 liters during the day). We had a blood test over the weekend that came back great, so we were in a quandary about what was going on. So, Bill took Mason to see the pediatrician today and a chest x-ray was ordered. Sure enough, there's a "pneumonia-like" mass in Mason's lower lobe of his right lung. So, we've repeated a steroid burst and added an antibiotic to Mason's medications. Hopefully, between these 2 things, we'll be able to avoid another trip to the hospital.

On another note, please say an extra prayer for Mason's new friend, Brielle, tonight and tomorrow. She is just 9 days old and going in for major open heart surgery tomorrow. Please pray that the surgery is a success and pray for strength for her mom and dad as they wait for the 5-6 hours of the surgery. Kristie, Ike, and Brielle, we are praying for you!!!