Mason's Medical Expense Support
Donation protected
Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you are aware of the birth and circumstances of Samantha and Tanner's son, Mason, on December 4 and his subsequent open heart surgery and post surgical issues. For those of you who are not aware, Mason's surgery went very well but he has been experiencing some setbacks that have delayed his full recovery. Samantha has lived with Mason at the Children's Hospital of Aurora, CO since the birth (and 1 week prior at the local Ronald McDonald house), being spelled by Tanner as much as his work and family schedule permit. This is very stressful, as you can imagine, for all of the family. Jade and Hunter miss their Mom very much but understand how important it is for her to be with their new baby brother.
Mason suffered a post-surgical SVT (SuperVenticular Tachycardia) incident soon after his PICC line was inserted. His heartbeat had risen to 280! Following that trauma, Mason seemed to rally and was fine with the feeding process of IV, feeding tube and finally breast and bottle. Although Mason was still wearing a heart monitor and breathing tube (just to make sure his oxygen saturation remained adequate) we had just begun to hope all of our family prayers and healing love was being answered to get them home by Christmas. Then Mason developed an intestinal infection and a further setback as he had to be taken off all feeding but IV nutrition and begin a round of antibiotics and frequent blood tests for culture diagnostics. Bacteria had caused an intestinal infection which then entered the PICC line and blood stream. This was a dangerous situation as the infection could have carried to his healing heart and other vital organs. The PICC line was removed and an IV re-inserted to provide medicine as well as taking blood. Several attempts were made over a few days to secure a stable IV line. Mason's heart surgery made it very difficult to establish a sustainable IV connection.
With many misgivings and trepidation Samantha and Tanner had to make the difficult decision on 12/22 to allow the introduction of another PICC line as it is the only way to give meds and take blood without further traumatizing Mason with continued needles and IV attempts. The potential for infection is reported to be between 8-25% with PICC lines but the doctors have assured us that they will do their best to ensure appropriate levels of sterilization and placement of the line (previously it was too close to his heart, which caused the SVT). Mason's cultures remain clear of bacterial growth as of 12/22, and his breathing tube has been removed. We hope and pray that Mason will begin to accept feeding tube and then bottle soon to be able to come home for New Years. Sam and Tanner will need to purchase a heart monitor for Mason to have at home for a while (approx $300).
In addition to all of this, Mason has a club foot which the physicians indicate must be addressed very soon. This is a complicated process which requires surgery, several weekly casts and a brace that he must wear until he is 5 yrs. old. Sam/Tanner and Mason will have to make weekly trips to Denver from their home in Colorado Springs for quite a while as Mason's issues are addressed and healed. Sam and Tanner and their families have been so strong but these burdens are crushingly overwhelming emotionally and financially.
It is the Holiday Season for many of you and we know you all have your own challenges and burdens to bear and truly no one has “extra” funds. I am asking for Sam and Tanner and their family, for any financial assistance that can be made without causing distress to the donors. If you cannot donate funds, please continue to send your beautiful and loving prayers and healing thoughts for Mason, Sam, Tanner and their children. We value this just as much and we Know this is helping and healing! Thank you for your compassion and generosity of wallet and/or spirit! We are wishing all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Many of you are aware of the birth and circumstances of Samantha and Tanner's son, Mason, on December 4 and his subsequent open heart surgery and post surgical issues. For those of you who are not aware, Mason's surgery went very well but he has been experiencing some setbacks that have delayed his full recovery. Samantha has lived with Mason at the Children's Hospital of Aurora, CO since the birth (and 1 week prior at the local Ronald McDonald house), being spelled by Tanner as much as his work and family schedule permit. This is very stressful, as you can imagine, for all of the family. Jade and Hunter miss their Mom very much but understand how important it is for her to be with their new baby brother.
Mason suffered a post-surgical SVT (SuperVenticular Tachycardia) incident soon after his PICC line was inserted. His heartbeat had risen to 280! Following that trauma, Mason seemed to rally and was fine with the feeding process of IV, feeding tube and finally breast and bottle. Although Mason was still wearing a heart monitor and breathing tube (just to make sure his oxygen saturation remained adequate) we had just begun to hope all of our family prayers and healing love was being answered to get them home by Christmas. Then Mason developed an intestinal infection and a further setback as he had to be taken off all feeding but IV nutrition and begin a round of antibiotics and frequent blood tests for culture diagnostics. Bacteria had caused an intestinal infection which then entered the PICC line and blood stream. This was a dangerous situation as the infection could have carried to his healing heart and other vital organs. The PICC line was removed and an IV re-inserted to provide medicine as well as taking blood. Several attempts were made over a few days to secure a stable IV line. Mason's heart surgery made it very difficult to establish a sustainable IV connection.
With many misgivings and trepidation Samantha and Tanner had to make the difficult decision on 12/22 to allow the introduction of another PICC line as it is the only way to give meds and take blood without further traumatizing Mason with continued needles and IV attempts. The potential for infection is reported to be between 8-25% with PICC lines but the doctors have assured us that they will do their best to ensure appropriate levels of sterilization and placement of the line (previously it was too close to his heart, which caused the SVT). Mason's cultures remain clear of bacterial growth as of 12/22, and his breathing tube has been removed. We hope and pray that Mason will begin to accept feeding tube and then bottle soon to be able to come home for New Years. Sam and Tanner will need to purchase a heart monitor for Mason to have at home for a while (approx $300).
In addition to all of this, Mason has a club foot which the physicians indicate must be addressed very soon. This is a complicated process which requires surgery, several weekly casts and a brace that he must wear until he is 5 yrs. old. Sam/Tanner and Mason will have to make weekly trips to Denver from their home in Colorado Springs for quite a while as Mason's issues are addressed and healed. Sam and Tanner and their families have been so strong but these burdens are crushingly overwhelming emotionally and financially.
It is the Holiday Season for many of you and we know you all have your own challenges and burdens to bear and truly no one has “extra” funds. I am asking for Sam and Tanner and their family, for any financial assistance that can be made without causing distress to the donors. If you cannot donate funds, please continue to send your beautiful and loving prayers and healing thoughts for Mason, Sam, Tanner and their children. We value this just as much and we Know this is helping and healing! Thank you for your compassion and generosity of wallet and/or spirit! We are wishing all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Organizer and beneficiary
Debra Clawson
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
Tanner Antcliff
Beneficiary