Mary Grace went to her neurologist appointment Tuesday. Katie really like the doctor and felt very comfortable with her. The neurologist has scheduled to run a few test next week on Mary Grace to rule out any neurological problems. The doctor told Katie that this is routine and these are the first test the run on many patients. MG will have a EKG on Tuesday and a MRI on Wednesday. MG will have to be put to sleep for the MRI and these test will be run at either Woman's Hospital or The Lake. MG is doing pretty good. She is not having to rely on oxygen as often as before. We are still waiting on the lung function test that will take place in April. The neurologist did explain to Katie that when you deal with pediatrics that it is a long process. The doctors have to run every test possibly to come to a diagnosis. The problem is that the doctors have to go by what the parents describe to them as symptoms. They don't have a patient who can tell them exactly how they are feeling or what is going on. Katie did relax a bit with hearing that information. The doctors do keep saying that MG is a unique case but they will get to a diagnosis. Katie was also told that MG is seeing the best doctors in this area. They are all highly respected in their field. Please continue to keep Katie, Joe and Mary Grace in your prayers. Sometimes the hardest thing is having patience and that is all they can do for now.

Janna

Mary Grace had her doctors appointment yesterday with Dr. Thomas (pediatric pulmonary specialist in BR). They were there for a long time. Dr. Thomas really examined MG well and watched her play and interact with him inside and outside. Katie said that Dr. Thomas has a gift with children. MG never knew he was examining her. He has a special and unique way of interacting with children and it was very heart warming for Katie and Joe. So, the good news is that the test Dr. Thomas wanted MG to have was a sleep study. They just happened to have a cancellation yesterday and MG luckily had the test last night. Katie stayed with her in the room all night. They are home now and sleeping. It will take up to two weeks before they receive the results back. Dr. Thomas is still not letting go of the acid reflux aspirating into MG's lungs. He still thinks this might be involved. MG is adjusting to the oxygen at home and so is Katie and Joe. Once again, hopefully we are on the right track to getting closer to putting the puzzle together for MG. She will be seeing a neurologist Tuesday at BR Clinic. Dr. Bankston ( MG's pediatrician) recommended this doctor for Katie and Joe. Dr. Thomas wants a neurologist to examine MG to get her opinion of what is going on. He doesn't think there is a neurological issue, but he wants to cover all of the bases. I will update again as I get more information from Katie and Joe. Please continue praying for our baby girl. Katie and Joe appreciate all the support they have received throughout this scary experience.

Mary Grace went to see Dr. Edell (pediatric pulmonary specialist in NO) yesterday at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. It was just a doctors appointment to schedule the test MG will need to move this process forward. She will have the long awaited lung function test in April. Once again we are waiting on scheduling issues. MG will see Dr. Thomas (pediatric pulmonary specialist in BR) this Thursday and he has to schedule a test for her also. The lung function test can only be performed at Children's Hospital and the test with Dr. Thomas can only be performed in BR at The Lake. So, we are left a little frustrated and running out of patience. But, the good thing is the doctors say that MG has the band aid to help assist her with the lung issues for now which is the oxygen while we wait for these test. Dr. Edell and Dr. Thomas say that these two test will tell them both what they need to know to diagnose MG. She is doing pretty good. Katie and Joe have learned how to manage MG's oxygen pretty well. They could easily put MD behind their name when it comes to the lungs. I will update the blog again after her appointment with Dr. Thomas Thursday. Please continue to pray for Katie, Joe and Mary Grace. I do think we are closer to finding out a diagnosis for MG. The doctors keep calling her a pulmonary puzzle, but she is OUR pulmonary puzzle and we will not stop until we put the pieces together.

Janna

Just an update about MG! She is doing better. She is getting over the pneumonia and that seems to be improving at a great pace. She is on oxygen at night and sometimes periodically throughout the day. Katie watches her very close and calls the doctor with any changes. Katie says she "hangs out" at the oxygen level that makes her nervous. The level is not where we would like for it to be but it is not low enough for a hospital visit either. We are still waiting on the doctors to make some decisions when they are going forward with the test MG needs. Katie and Joe are hanging in there also. They are patiently waiting and if anybody knows Katie she is not very good at doing that. Please continue to pray for MG and her mommy and daddy. Hopefully soon we will have some more information.

Janna

Mary Grace is feeling a little better. Her mommy said she is a little grumpy today. They are still waiting for the pneumonia to improve and then the doctor will schedule some more test. She will be going to Children's Hospital in New Orleans to have the lung function test as soon as she can. Katie and Joe wanted me to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. They know that they are loved by many friends and family. Please continue to pray for them. Hopefully, this journey is almost over and Katie and Joe will have their prayers answered and their baby girl better.

Janna

Our baby girl is finally home! Mary Grace was released from the hospital today around noon. She is feeling better. She did develop pneumonia and is being treated with antibiotics. Katie and Joe are so happy to be home also. They really wanted to take a nap this afternoon but Mary Grace wanted to play. The doctors are still going to finish running the test needed to officially diagnosis Mary Grace's lung problems. She has to get over the pneumonia first before they can do anymore test. They will have to go back to New Orleans maybe sometime this week to finally do the lung function test we have been waiting for. Mary Grace was sent home with oxygen and will have to sleep with it at night for a long time. That is OK, she sure looks cute when she wrinkles up her nose to put the probe in. She has learned to not play with it and leaves it alone. Hopefully, the doctors will get the ball rolling again with the test Mary Grace needs; and soon we can breathe easily that Mary Grace is on a road to recovery with the correct medication to assist her in her journey with the lung issues she will have. I will post when Katie and Joe get more information. It may not be for a couple of days because the doctors won't do anything else until Mary Grace gets over pneumonia. Please continue to keep Katie, Joe and Mary Grace in your thoughts and prayers. They have been such strong and vigilant parents. Mary Grace is one lucky little girl to have them. We are one lucky family to have Mary Grace!!

Janna