“Mom!” then proceeds to put this package up to my face...”it says 4 minutes and I did that and I almost burned up the whole freakin’ house!” Me: “Did you put water in it?” Mason: “Uh, nooooo....” 😂#whoops #burntsmell #whilethebabysitterwashere #thoughtitwaspopcorn #nope just #ohmason strikes again! 🥰

via Instagram https://ift.tt/34vSRgx

Mason was diagnosed back in February for severe sleep apnea. He stopped breathing 67 times an hour! That’s more than once a minute 😳. Our results were supposed to come back in 6 weeks but they were so bad the doctor personally called us the next day! We went to a follow-up appointment a week or so ago and his average is around 13 an hour which is a marked improvement. However, they prefer kids to have under two apnea so he is still severe even now. Adjustments were made and we are hoping he improves even more. He’s on a new medicine regiment that has been helping him sleep so much better and in combination with his cpap he is happier and even more sweet. 🙌🏻🥰 The doctor warned me that “bad things can happen” when he is put under for anesthesia because of his severe sleep apnea and to avoid surgery whenever possible. I think we are up to 20 surgeries under his belt now (? I lost count) so that info would have been useful 10 years ago, but, ya do what you gotta do with the info you have. Unfortunately, we have at least one major surgery scheduled in about 2 months and since this last go ‘round was a bit rough...okay, a lot rough... then it’s safe to say I’m a little nervous about it. Really though, everything with Mason is led by his Heavenly Father, so I’ll put my trust in Him and do what we need to do. 🙏🏻#ohmason #hefallsasleepinawkwardpositions #dontworryimovedhim #mysweetboy

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2M2XubC

Back in St George now, Mason bore his testimony in the purest, most beautiful words, with arms outstretched, exclaimed, “I’m HOME!! Thank you for your prayers. I’m home because (arms outstretched again) of all... of you.” And ended his testimony. As I bore mine after his, I gave a brief summary of our last few months and Mason (who had now ran back to his seat in the back of the chapel) chimes in yelling “Yeah, I almost died TWO times!” But he didn’t. We are so grateful. What a special boy he is. ❤️ Sometimes God grants miracles in the way we hope, and sometimes he grants a different miracle that is maybe not what we were expecting, but ends up being the best thing for our growth and learning. We got to see plenty of miracles take place in both those ways right before our eyes. They still leave us (and the doctors) shaking our heads in wonderment. A genuine walking miracle Mason is. 🥰 #ohmason

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2HDnEil

We took Mason to Brandon’s family reunion at a ranch in Hatch last weekend. The minute we drove up he lit up and was more animated than we’d seen him since the hospital. He has been so great adjusting to his new illeostomy bag and carrying around his wound vacuum 24/7. He wears out easily and doesn’t quite have the stamina and energy he used to but we suspect that will come back with time. His body has been through the ringer so we have to be patient and let it heal on its own time. He is improving each day. #ohmason photocred: @annie_creative

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2Yg3Xa0

💕When we had a rare moment of privacy in the ICU, I remember praying with Mason to feel angels around us— to feel if there was someone else there who was taking this journey with us and from whom we could draw strength. I prayed for that a few times feeling a bit frustrated because we needed and wanted that reassurance. We got our answer. While I knew that there were likely angels I couldn't see around us, I had a distinct realization that in this instance, my angels were in the flesh. They were the angels willing to take our kids at a moments notice, the angels that went to our house multiple times to fix things and clean, the angels that called, prayed, texted. They were those who took the time to write encouraging words on social media, who sent kind letters and generous gifts, the angels that drove back and forth to the hospital to visit that allowed me to see my baby once a day for a month, the angels that offered their homes for a place to stay, angels that took the two middle children into their homes, brought dinners, sent snacks... the angels that were in the form of countless hospital staff, nurses, and doctors who provided excellent care and showed love and compassion in such a sterile environment. YOU. You all are our angels! We could not have got through this journey without YOU. 💕#ohmason

via Instagram https://ift.tt/30Gp3vF

“And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might...” Mosiah 9:18 We’ve been spending the last week reflecting on the events of the past month. So many miracles! Mason is doing well. He is going in twice a week to the hospital to get wound changes and getting different therapies (speech therapy, occupational, medication management,etc.) in an intense program up in SLC for his other issues outside of his medical needs. It’s been amazing to see his progress in just a week! Our family is being taken care of in so many ways so thank you for all your kindness. 🎈#ohmason photo cred: @annie_creative

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2LSCG6O

Partners in crime! 📸 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2X0E7XV

👏🏻Sat in a chair today!👏🏻 Mason’s doing well. Still off the heart meds but put on different blood pressure medicine to manage the high bp. Mason has been feeling pain and has actually been letting us know when he is so we can help him! Yay! So far he has managed to keep his lungs clear (other than the edema) and cough some. Sitting in the chair helped and also tired him out. We got moved to a different room and it’s so much quieter and going to be better all around for healing. Still looking like a few more days in the ICU before we move upstairs but he’s making great strides! #ohmason #andbrandon😊

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2L9T7eL

Just as a reminder that the real Mason is in there somewhere— the respiratory therapist came to listen to him last night. She let Mason listen to his own heart. When she went take the stethoscope off him, Mason shook his little swollen finger at her and wouldn’t let her take them off 😂. She thought it was so funny that she let him and came back later to grab them. Big Day today! Ventilator out. No more heart meds. Going to wait and see how his heart does tomorrow and see if he needs the heart meds again. They stay in the body for 6-8 hours after so we will know later tonight or tomorrow how he is doing. Echocardiogram showed nothing concerning.🙌🏻 Ng tube (stomach fluid sucker outer) came out the same time as the breathing tube. 🙌🏻 He’s on the bi-pap machine now. As long as he is on this he will be in the ICU. His lungs are still has pulmonary edema and some gunk in there so we’ve still got a battle to fight but we are headed in the right direction! Keep those prayers coming!! 🙏🏻

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2FpNuWf

You guys he’s off the ventilator !!!😭😭😭😭 We all feel like a weight has lifted, especially Mason. He doesn’t want to talk because his mouth is sore but we got a smile. Brandon and I turned on some music and danced with glee! Our spirits have been renewed. THE POWER OF PRAYER IS REAL!!🙏🏻🙌🏻 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2ZHDzDc

“Mason belongs to everyone” my brother-in-law said. . I thought about that statement for some time. . Who am I to keep him for myself? Mason’s personality is larger than life and truly lets his light shine bright which is evident by all of you people praying for his recovery. Today they sewed up his belly! He has a small drain but wound vac is gone. Changed his stoma bag. Going to do another test tomorrow to see if he can breathe on his own but he failed this morning so we shall see. Echocardiogram looked ok but tomorrow they are going to take him off the heart medicine to see how his heart performs without the medication. If the heart checks out and his breathing test is a go, we can move on from ICU land into a regular room. They said maybe another week but due to previous experiences (a.k.a. Mason style) I’m planning for at least 2 until we get out of this joint. . Again, can’t stress enough how much love we have felt. Mason is a special boy. Thanks for loving him as much as we do! ⭐️

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2Y1ByB3

“A perfect body is not required to achieve a divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail frames. Great spiritual strength is often developed by those with physical challenges precisely because they are challenged.” Russell M. Nelson . Mason was up most of the night fidgety and itchy from the morphine so they switched him to a different concoction today and he was able to finally rest. Today the doctors wanted to make sure his body had a chance to recover from the events of last night. His pain and comfort was managed well and they also started him slowly on a medicine that would help shed the fluid in his tissues. He’s my cute little Michelin Man at the moment (although his skin is tight, not squishy). . We got to come down off our adrenaline rush today and it was much needed. We feel so much peace and are being sustained by your prayers. We are more than humbled by your kindness. 💙 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2RpDfG6

I’ve had this scripture as my screensaver on my phone for awhile now. And today it has more meaning than I could ever say. Mason went into Cardiac Arrest tonight. He was stabilized. Then he went into Cardiac Arrest again 20 minutes later. And I watched it all happen. I shakily hurried and called Brandon after the first one started backed up against the wall because Code Blue was called and there were loads of people running in the room. “He’s coding!!!!!!!!!!” Was all I could say. My brother was with me and I don’t think it was coincidence because he is calm and collected in emergency situations and was actually helping the nurse move Mason when all of a sudden Mason took the dive. He spoke to Brandon and then went into help out. He stood at the top of his bed and held his airway open while they did CPR. Mason is still intubated but they were suctioning him and something happened to cause the arrest but at this point they don’t know why and may never know. They stabilized him and then for some reason he dive bombed again and I was now standing against the wall at the top of the bed after I had been talking to him and then quickly moved out of the way so they could do CPR again. “Mason!” I yelled. It took a bit to get him stable again. Doctors were talking to me and another one having me sign papers. It was my worst nightmare coming true. They suspected a blood clot and did an Echocardiogram to see how the heart was doing and to see if there were any blood clot there or possible pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs). They didn’t see anything at that time. An hour or so after they got Mason comfortable again, they did a more in-depth Echocardiogram (on the heart). They found the lower part of the heart wasn’t pumping strong and said it was in the severe range and also one of his valves (nitro) is leaking due to stress of being revived. They gave him some meds to help his heart pump stronger. A lot more meds and management after that I won’t recount. Mason started waking up and being responsive to us. Brandon rushed up from St George and Mason remained stable the whole time. We aren’t out of the woods yet, but witnessed some amazing miracles today.

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2FkBnd3

I broke down for the first time tonight. How are we going to do this?! I can’t breathe thinking about it. I can’t breathe because there are so many unknowns. My son is in the ICU!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING. . How can I be feeling so much peace with it one second and right now my heart has never known such pain. . Up until this point in his life I have had perfect faith in God’s plan for Mason. In prior situations, I’ve always been amazed at how Mason manages to defy all odds. . Now that he’s basically fighting for his life and I’m forced to consider the “what ifs?,” I feel like I’m drowning. Are you kidding me?! This is too much. How are we doing this again?! . And then the song lyrics pop into my head, “Fear not, I am with thee O be not dismayed, the Lord is thy light and will still give thee aide. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand. Upheld by thy righteous Omnipotent hand.” . And just like that, the peace returns. Applying our unwavering faith in God is how we will do it. #wegotthis #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2KUFcsZ

Mason did great today. Vitals stayed strong! Still watching blood pressure. He has been running a fever, too. He’s being pumped with fluids. More fluid is going to get him even more swollen but as soon as inflammation starts to go down, so will the swelling and his body will start to absorb the fluid in the right places. Mason is still intubated (machine is breathing for him) and will be for a day or maybe longer depending on if he can breathe on his own. All the pressure makes that a challenge. It feels like we have been here a week already! One day at a time, right?! Time for sleep...💤 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2WOgNr9

💙@#ohmason I love you.

via Instagram http://bit.ly/31DFavs

Mason took a turn for the worst with heart rate up to 180 (normal is 112 ish), crazy blood pressure, lots of pain, fever, swelling, and he’s only breathing out of the top of his lungs because the pressure from his very very distended belly is not letting him take a full breath. We took a Lifeflight helicopter to Cedar City airport (SGU is closed) and took the LifeFlight jet to the SLC airport where were transferred to an ambulance to take us to Primary’s. They are going to do a CT scan on his abdomen—suspecting infection and some sort of obstruction or scar tissue buildup. Possible surgery. It’s up in the air right now. Currently in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). Feeling peaceful so thanks for your prayers. #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2ZqbNLd

Day two: Made some progress. Then plateaued. Made a little more progress late tonight but still not wonderful. Super uncomfortable, in pain, and swollen. Super distended belly we are hoping to get looking better. We shall see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully we can get him outta here!#ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2RkkNOZ

The night was uneventful but this morning we are on track sort of. Some bladder issues now we are trying figure out in addition. Baby steps! Every time Cali catches a glimpse of Mason she smiles so big at him and starts cooing and kicking her feet. She practically jumps out my arms she’s so excited. It’s the cutest! #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2IQiaAW

From the fun pillows to the matching blanket, he’s getting the star treatment! And being the only kid on the pediatric floor doesn’t hurt either! #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2wRFj0a

Mason has an impacted bowel and nothing we tried at home was working so we are going to try and take care of it here in St George. Hoping no complications show up but we’re always ready for them if they do! Mason was as white as a ghost and whimpering in pain. 😐I hate not knowing how to take the pain away—-hoping the doctors and staff will! 😷#sowedonthavetogotoprimarys #eventhoughweloveitthere #butletsnotthistime #mmk

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2WIpjrM

🦷Mason lost a molar yesterday and came in my room with a notecard and a plastic baggie. He asked me to write “please” on it. I wrote it and then noticed the “$100” at the top. 😂🦷#highhopes #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2EjH6iM

Mason disappeared for awhile...just golfin’ in his PJs. 🏌🏻‍♂️

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2LNIlwx

Took the #gopro to the pool and came back with this gem. We literally could not contain our laughter! 😂 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2w5yUy6

Mason got invited to a classmate’s birthday party (for the 2nd time in his whole life)!! Mason kept saying (looking at the invitation on the fridge) “mom, I’m so excited for the party!” with a huge smile on his face. My heart wanted to burst as I saw the kids interact with him and include him. I hung around but let him have some space and he did great! The last time I checked in with him they were going to do laser tag again and he wanted to leave. He told the kid’s mom “I hate laser tag. Worst ever.” 😂 #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2VIraRU

❤️ #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2YoAffe

🧩Autism Awareness 🧩 If you want to learn more about the start of our journey with Autism, read part our story on @the.vandylife blog. Link’s in Mason’s profile. #ohmason

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2HVBuyi

It took a minute for Mason to warm up to the baby. I would put her in his lap for a picture and through his forced smile he would say “get.her.off!” 😂 After making him hold her a few more times, he finally decided he liked it. Now he even volunteers to change her diaper and loves to snuggle with her. It’s so cute. ❤️#ohmason

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2FuA3ET

I was in my room and started to smell something burning. B took the boys to a basketball game so I was confused at what it could be. Apparently, right before they left Mason was making noodles “for Lexi” and left it going on the stove. Little smokey, but no harm done tonight! #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2SNUyAn

If you ever wondered what a sleep apnea study looked like—here ya go! When Mason was up in the hospital at Primary Children’s they suspected he may have sleep apnea so we got him tested last night for it. Mason said he “slept really well” and tolerated all the wiring without a fuss. The doctor said it was due to his bone structure in his mouth/throat and likely his all-over low tone plays a role. We won’t know the results for a few weeks but we are 99% sure we are headed for a c-pap! #justaddittothelist #sleepapnea #ohmason

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2F9LliS

Mason LOVESSSSSS hot chocolate. He gets excited by a box of Swiss Miss. I’d say @hashhouseagogo blew his mind with their gigantic version! #ohmason ❤️#happynewyear2019

via Instagram http://bit.ly/2LIaWzS