Wow! Mason has had one very busy month! What a wonderful celebration this month has been with both tears of joy and tears of sadness. Mason is now a 29 month old with s new Angel heart and has overcome a very big rejection obstacle (although we know we will never be "out of the woods" for rejection episodes, but at least Mason and his new heart have proven they can fight through these obstacles!)
Here are a few pictures from April:
Spending the night in the CVICU the night after
his heart cath on April 1st.
Back in the hospital April 2 because of his mini-stroke.
Easter Morning, April 4th, pre-transplant bath
Out of the OR after his 6 hour heart transplant surgery.
Telling Mason Happy Easter as we celebrate his new angel heart.
Recovering so well the 1st week post-transplant
Mason prefers sitting in his stroller over the hospital crib.
Look at me I'm oxygen free!
Oh no! Mason's big rejection set back on April 16th.
It felt like starting all over again! Breathing tube,
chest tubes, central lines. We were so sad.
After 10 days of aggressively fighting the rejection we
celebrated good news w/ a walk and then some ice chips!
After a he had fun soaking the nurse and I during
his sponge bath he fell asleep for a short little nap.
One exhausted little boy! All he really has been
doing is taking a few little cat naps through out
the day and night, but not any good long sleep periods!
Yay! Mason has visitors for his 29 month b-day!
Dad and Braiden were all suited up because the doctor
was doing a sterile procedure, re-wiring Mason's ART line.
Mom and Braiden calming sweet little Mason.
I really started this post late last night (April 30th), but I never finished it.....sorry. Mason and I have been busy hanging out with Mark and Braiden the last couple of days. It was so good to have them here. We miss them and the rest of the crew very much. Braiden was able to make Mason smile and laugh many times while they were here. It was absolutely darling! Mason has not been his happy self, so I was extremely glad Braiden and Daddy could help cheer him up. It made me very sad saying goodbye tonight to them, sweet Braiden was very very tearful. It breaks my heart!
The nurses and I think Mason has a definite case of ICU/hospital delirium. He is just very irritated with still being in the hospital! But do you blame him?? He wines and cries a large majority of the time, so hopefully this next week will go smoothly and we can be discharged very soon.
The bummer of the weekend is that we are still in the CVICU! Not because Mason is not doing well, but because there has been a problem finding him an isolated room on the third floor in 3 West (because of being a transplant patient isolation is protocol due to being immune suppressed) ......we are still in the ICU. But at least they switched out the crib for a twin bed so I can lay with him now.
Have a happy weekend and I will update again soon!
14 comments:
Very beautiful and uplifting post. Wonderful review in picutres and so glad you could have special visitors and that Mason could laugh. Sorry for the lack of a new room for Mason but happy that they upgraded your bed. Lots of love and we will continue the prayers.
Hi this is Bob and Joans daughter. You have been in our prayers and I am so glad he is doing better!
Hey,the transplant thing does have its perks. Like not having to wait at the doctors office, getting a room super fast when you go to the ER and you never have to share a hospital room. See, some things come in very handy. I hope Mason can leave soon. Kaidence would get that ICU Psychosis as well and sometimes it was heartbreaking to watch. Hang in there....you have all come so far!
I hope Mason gets out of ICU soon!! We are here.. at the Stanford Terrace Inn. We have all day today full of R&R... we might swing up to San Fran for a few hours this afternoon. Tomorrow, we don't have appts until 1:30. I have a few "happys" for Mason.. I know it won't take away the Hospital Psychosis though :(.
My phone number is 480-294-0453.
I am so glad that he is doing wel though. Yes he is still stuck in the ICU, but he is getting stronger and stronger. Hang in there Summer and you will soon find beautiful rays of sunshine following you everywhere. "The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."-Arthur C. Clarke. Hang on for just a bit longer. :)
It will be nice for Owen to meet Mason...maybe our little ham Owen will tweak out a little smile from Mason. (If Owen is allowed in as a visitor) This may sound dumb, but I am relieved Mason is irritated with the whole thing...it means he is getting better...better feisty than limp as a rag dog. We are continuing to pray from out hre in Blogland. Owen's Gramma V
The picture that shows Masons incision just make me really realize how strong that boy is! What an amazing kid!
Happy 29th B-day Mason!
He is sooo AMAZING! Thanks for all of the updates, I know it can be hard, but we are all grateful to know how he is doing.
Staci (angel Bridger's mom)
Loved the pictures Summer! Congrats on all the progess. What a miracle.
Have followed your blog for months. Just wanted you to know your faith and courage are inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story.
Who wouldn't have ICU delirium. The night before Daniel was discharged I couldn't sleep because I was so excited to bring him home. And that was only 3 1/2 weeks in the NICU.
We're praying for a healthy, smooth, and timely discharge and return to your family.
I get tears just picturing your goodbyes with Braiden. I am praying that it will only be a short time til you are home again with all the family and little Mason will be smiling brightly.
Thank you for sharing your pictures with us.
I'm one of the local LDS members tapped to assist with something more palatable than hospital cafeteria food but I thought I'd pop you an email so you can be aware of just one more local resource on call if you need it. I've had babies in extended stays in the NICU b/f as well so know some pieces of this drill.
Tagg remembers to pray for Mason every night all by himself, "Bless Mason and his new heart!"...in a cute two year old voice! We are pulling for you, praying for you, and hoping for the best with you!
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