Sad

Late last night I received the results from both Mason's biopsy yesterday and the DSA (donor specific antigens) blood test run pre and post Mason's IVIg treatment on Thursday.

I am sad.

Both were positive for rejection. Yes, that is right........rejection! I'm not putting that awful word in bold lettering, because I don't like bad news! I've been down the path of bad news too many times! My faith is being tested! But, I will persevere! I believe in miracles!

Mason's biopsy came back at a grade 3R -not good. The good news is (I'm trying to find the sunshine) they caught it early on. The doctors are hopeful they can turn this around with very intensive treatments. These treatments were started late last night. There is hope, but they are taking this very seriously.

Mason's DSA showed that pre and post his IVIG treatment he is fighting against 7 of the donor's antigens. So, the IVIg treatment did not work this time. Meaning, even after the treatment those antigens are still present in his blood. The day after transplant a cross match was run and everything came back at zero. There were no Donor Specific Antigens present at that time. Even though Mason's IVIg treatments the 2 months prior to transplant had gotten rid of all these bad antigens, there was a possibility they would return due to a very smart immune system.

Plan of action:

• In the cath lab Mason was given high doses of 2 meds: 1) Lasix to help with fluid overload and 2) Methylprednisolone {Solumedrone-which is a 3 day aggressive anti-rejection medication. They gave one dose in the cath lab in case the biopsy was positive for rejection and now they will continut that.
• Plasmapheresis was started late last night. It is a 2 hour treatment that he will receive for 5 consecutive days. In my own words, with a machine similar to a dialysis machine they take Mason's "bad" plasma (high in bad antibodies) and remove it from his blood and replace it with new "clean, good"plasma. The new plasma is mixed with his own red blood cells and put back into his body. (For more info on plasmapheresis click here.)
• Following each plasmapheresis he will receive a 4 hour infusion treatment of ATG. This is similar to IVIg, but stronger. (For more info on ATG or Antithymocyte globulin click here)
• Daily echos to check if the rejection is affecting his new heart function. No echo yet today, but yesterday's showed excellent function (more sunshine admist this awful storm) still with a slight leak in the tricuspid valve. (which now, after reviewing all his echo's, it looks like his angel heart came with it and that's okay. Very treatable when it is so slight.)
• Continuing still on all 15 oral ( by g-tube) medications. He is not on any heart function meds though which is good.
• PRAYER, PRAYER, FAITH, HOPE, AND MORE PRAYER
• BELIEVE IN MORE MIRACLES

The doctors explained to me that the next 5 days are the most critical in turning this rejection around.

I need to go now and hold my baby's hand!