Sunday, October 7, 2007

Good News, Bad News

I will start with the good news. Mason has had a pretty good week. His battle with gas pain seems to be letting up a little. Our pediatrician said he would most likely outgrow some of it. Mason also gained 9oz over the last couple of weeks. He now weighs in at 9lbs 12oz! 8 more ounces and he will have doubled his birth weight. He is continuing to play, grab and talk to his toys. He even tried to make a laughing sound with his Dad tonight. It was the cutest thing!

On to the bad news. We had an appointment on Friday to discuss Mason's upper GI with his surgeon. His upper GI was not good and he is not even close to being ready to get fed into his stomach with an NG tube. His reflux is very bad and the docs are concerned that he will aspirate into his lungs which could be fatal in his case. Now that he is getting older he will be starting to pull out his NJ tube more often. It is just not feasible to have it in for much longer as he needs to have it placed by x-ray every time he pulls it out. It is not just one x-ray, but rather a "motion picture" made by taking numerous x-rays. I am sure he gets a pretty good dose of radiation every time it is placed and he has had 5 placements so far. The surgeon feels the best course of action would be placing a g-tube (directly through the belly into the stomach) and a Nissen wrap (to try and prevent reflux). This is necessary to protect Mason's airway.

Mason will be admitted to UofM for surgery on 11/14/07. He will stay for about 5 days, maybe longer. It will be a major surgery for him, with some risks. He will need to go back on the vent for the surgery and right now we are unsure how long it will take him to come back off. He will be given lots of fluid for the surgery and this will put a burden on his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe on his own. He will also be fed into his stomach for the first time and will need to be watched closely for reflux, etc. Hopefully, with a successful surgery, Mason can begin to use his stomach and learn to eat more by mouth.

On to the next bit of bad news. Travis and I have made the tough decision to sell the house we just had built last fall. My new role as a stay at home Mom coupled with some unexpected career changes for Travis, has unfortunately put us in a financial bind. Our family is what is most important to us and we do not want to take on any additional jobs at this point just to support a mortgage and sacrifice important time together. We are planning to downsize so that we can live comfortably on our new family income, and still spend lots of family time together.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Rose and Travis,

Material things are not what they are cracked up to be.
Your wisdom to value the family and family time is beyond your years. Some folks never learn it.

What you will both remember and what Mason will benefit from is you emphasis on time spent as a family, not passing in the night for the sake of an extra bathroom.

God bless you all,

An Alcona Friend

The 311 Boys Mom said...

We too are have decided we don't want to keep up with teh Jones's; I figure it isnt' all its cracked up to be.

We have been working for our house payment.

I'm sure everything will work out, he's so strong & has come so far!!!

We think of you all often.

Anonymous said...

Mason is such a tough cookie, we know he'll make it through his next surgery like a champ!

I can't imagine how hard this must be, even though you know that it's the right thing to do, it's not always easy.

We think about you all the time. Can't wait to see you again. Don't ever hesitate to call or let us know if you need anything.

Love,
Bethie, Allen and Austin

Aunt Carrie & Uncle Mike said...

Hey Rosie,

Your just selling a house, your home is where you and Travis and Mason are. Look and me and Uncle Mike, 17 years in this little Redford home, and I don't want bigger or better, I was an at home mom forever and loved it. Kiss baby Mason for me.

Love Aunt Carrie