These are permanent fixtures in our home...
As soon as I went over to Sailor & Company to find out what the new theme for her RAW(e) photo contest was, and saw that it was "Around the House," I knew exactly what my photo would be.
These are the machines Sam uses in his daily treatments for Cystic Fibrosis.
For those of you who do not know what CF is, it's a disease that effects the respiratory and digestive systems. Sam's body produces a thick mucous that impairs his airways (lungs) and prevents his pancreas from digesting fats and proteins. To counteract this, each day he does several lung related treatments and takes enzymes and acid-reducing meds to help him digest his food.
Twice a day Sam straps on his VEST and nebulizer. The VEST is a vibrating airway clearance machine that keeps the thick mucous moving through Sam's lungs instead of settling and causing a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. The nebulizer delivers a host of medicines to his system in the form of a very fine mist. From antibiotics to brochodilators (meds that keep his airways open) to meds that thin and loosen the mucous. These treaments last anywhere from 45 mins. to an hour and a half, depending on what meds he is currently taking.
Doing his "treatments" are a routine part of our day. First thing in the morning and then again in early evening, on goes the VEST and the nebulizer mask. He shakes, rattles and rolls as the medicine penetrates deep into his lungs. Not that he minds the vibrating...he's busy watching DVD's or playing his favorite LEGO video game. And because these treatments continue to extend the life of my little man, they will always be welcome "around the house."
Wow, thank you for sharing this and explaining. I follow another mom whose son has CF and I pray for her and her son and I also pray for your family when I see you in the blog world. I imagine that must be a hard disease to cope with.
ReplyDeleteI like your new header picture by the way. :)
~Heather
Thank you for sharing this all, Lisa! I keep your family in my prayers often!
ReplyDelete~Debra at http://ourimperfectlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your prayers, ladies! Sam has been very healthy so far (Thank the Lord!) but it can still be a challenge some days.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I'm trying to decide if I like the header or not. I'm learning (slowly) how to re-work the html to make the title fit better. I'm also thinking about changing the name of my blog. It's just so...blah.