31 for 21 day 3

I didn't really have anything specific to post today but then my day changed! My little man has pneumonia :( first time he's been sick :( Soooo today I'm posting about lungs lol.

Addy's lungs have always been sick. She was born with chronic lung disease and severe pulmonary hypertension. She was on O2 for the first 19 months of her life 24/7. She got 4 nebulizer treatments per day for a year and a half. She was on lasix and viagra (yes you read that right) until she was 22 months old. She slept every night with a pulse ox that would alarm often, especially when we first brought her home. Whenever she gets sick she usually ends up with the need for oxygen. I have lost count how many times she has had pneumonia. She has had it twice in 2012, in January and June. I'm REALLY hoping that Little Man doesn't share! She is just now getting over a nasty sinus infection.

When we first brought Addy home her former pediatrician looked at her chest x-ray and told me "her lungs are crap". Nice huh? Addy has fought so hard and she is doing so well, I'm sure if her former doctor saw her now he would be blown away. Her lungs are still vulnerable but she is one tough cookie :)

According to the NDSS, The lungs of children with Down syndrome do not develop as fully as in the general population. Consequently, the growth of blood vessels throughout the lungs is limited. The narrowed arteries of the lungs hold potential for lasting consequences due to the increased pressure and flow of blood through the lungs.