Diphramatic what?

Sorry this is so long. This is actually a sort of personal journal for us and we didn’t want to forget it all! Most of you know the basic story already, but Lincoln took us on one wild & crazy ride this last few months. Looking back, you could say that Lincoln's health had been on the decline for a few months, though we didn't see the big picture quite like that until now. He has always been a happy, healthy, chubby little guy but started coming down with one thing after another and we attributed it to a nasty winter season of bugs and colds.

The week prior was one of worry, due to a relentless fever and lack of energy on Lincoln's part. He was diagnosed with an ear infection & a virus, so we waited for the medications to take effect... but they didn't. Come Monday morning (March 16th), I took Lincoln back to the doctor. He was as sick as I'd ever seen him - pale and listless. The Dr. recommended a trip to the ER to get some IV fluids and to be under observation and later that evening that's where we ended up.

They start by testing his vitals, but he totally fails when they check his oxygen levels. They put him on oxygen immediately and the ER doctor orders a chest x-ray to see what’s going on in his lungs. It comes back and the doctor thinks it’s severe pneumonia blocking his left lung… then he comes back in and tells us that he was looking over the x-ray again and it MIGHT be something different and we need to go do a CAT scan.

As soon as the CAT scan is done the doctor tells us it’s not pneumonia after all and it’s actually a diaphragmatic hernia. In other words, there is a hole in his diaphragm and his intestines/stomach are in his chest cavity compressing his left lung and pushing on his heart. Oh and by the way, he needs surgery as soon as possible, and I’ve called a life-flight to take him up to Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Needless to say we were pretty shocked. Within 36 hours Lincoln was out of surgery at PCMC and doing infinitely better. Of course, I’ve skipped over a lot of unpleasantness on his part (catheters, shots, NG tubes included). Not exactly how we pictured spring break this year, but through it all we felt very blessed and very lucky. It’s amazing that Link doesn’t have any other defects or won’t suffer lasting problems. The doctors and nurses were wonderful and we were confident that LJ was in the best hands possible.

At this point (1 month later) he is completely back to normal and loving life!

Waiting for surgery (Tuesday morning)

Post-surgery... or the "I feel like crap" expression

Yum! Popsicles for breakfast.
Lincoln's first taste of food since Mon. morning (it's Fri. morning)

Well, he's got the use of both lungs now. That's for sure!

Happy again! Unhooked from machines for a few minutes & chilling with dad.
The nurse brought a playmat, books, & toys right to our room.

Mom & Lincoln at the Hospital playroom.

Home again, home again jiggity jig.
No wheelchairs here, just a sweet red wagon!