Coughing and more coughing

So, Mason got a cold just a couple of days before Thanksgiving just like the rest of us. But Mason's has never gone away unlike the rest of us. Two weeks ago we took him to the doctor who listened to him and asked all the questions. He thought Mason just had an upper respiratory infection and said to let him know if it didn't get any better. Another week passes and he still has a cough. The doctor requested that we come in and do an x-ray. What he found on the x-ray surprised him and us - pneumonia. Mason was put on an antibiotic but it did not make a difference. The crazy thing about all of this is that, other than the cough, this has not affected Mason at all. He is still full of energy and is being a typical 2 year old little boy.

So, back to the doctor's office we go today. The doctor listened to him and again Mason sounded clear. Mason's oxygen saturation was 95% today which is the highest that we have seen it so far! This cough does not seem to be affecting it at all. Now we are trying breathing treatments to figure out whether this could be asthma. Randy and I were concerned that this could be heart related but the doctor assured us that he did not see any indications on the x-ray that would lead us to believe that he is in heart failure. He did have any echo 3 days before Thanksgiving and all look the same as it had in the past. So, that put us more at ease. But we still have no idea what is causing his cough.

I am asking that you send your thoughts and prayers that the doctor can figure out what is causing the cough. Or better yet that the cough is healed. It would really give me peace of mind to know what is causing it. I know Randy and I have been worried.

On to more positive thoughts, we had a wonderful Christmas. Mia and Mason received exactly what they asked for from Santa although I wonder if Santa was watching close enough because not sure they had been good all year! Hope to get the pictures uploaded on the computer to share soon.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

This just in - MASON'S FEEDING HAS BEEN REMOVED!

I couldn't wait to tell everyone that we just took Mason's tube out! We have been struggling with the decision and had been getting multiple opinions on how to approach this from doctors that we trust. We had decided to go with the "let's just take it out and see" approach. See if it leaks, that is. So, we decided tonight was the night. It went really good and only took 2 minutes including taping a bandage on the site. Now we put him to sleep for the night and see if it leaks when he eats and drinks in the morning. There could be a possibility that he could need a procedure to close it but we are hoping and praying that it will heal on its own. Mason did fabulous. As a matter of fact, seeing Santa tonight was harder than taking out his tube! So, here are the before, during and after pictures. I promise they are not bad.

Before

During (no tears!)

After

I am one proud Momma! I couldn't have asked for it to have gone any better. He is such a brave little boy. As I sit here and type this I have tears in my eyes. He has been through so much and has been so brave. Could I have been as brave? I don't think so. He has taught me so much in his short life. I am blessed!

Please keep Mason in your thoughts and prayers that he tube site heals on its own and won't need any additional attention!