Seeing the Lytes

Day 2 brought Mason some improvement and a bunch of "hurry up and wait" -- well at least for us; the doctors have been very busy. The doctors have been busy talking to each other and trying to figure out what to do next. The theory is that his diuretics are not keeping up with his need and we can't increase the diuretics because they are causing his electrolytes to be out of whack. So, the attending pediatrician has talked with the lung doctor and the kidney doctor who has talked with another kidney doctor and a heart doctor. Did you follow that? Basically, everyone is talking which is always a good thing for Mason.

So, here's the plan (brace yourselves, we're going technical):

Switch from sodium chloride to potassium chloride (done last night)
Decrease the diuril and start a regular dose of lasix with the intent of replacing diuril with lasix (switching 1 diuretic for another).
Monitor electrolytes daily to make sure that all of these changes are safe - to do this we either have to have daily blood draws or hopefully they can start and IV from which they can draw blood.

While this may not seem like it's that big of a change (basically switching medications that do the same thing), it is actually kinda scary for us. Mason has always been very reactive to minor changes in his medications and changing from 1 diuretic to another is actually a very big change. We are nervous that it might be too big of a change, but hopeful that it will help him get better. The doctors and nurses are monitoring him constantly and we are always with him. We know he will be safe during these changes, just need to have faith that it is the right answer.

Please pray that this transition will be "easy" for Mason and that it is the right answer.