Part One
Dillion Mason was born on June 23 1997 at Northeast Medical Center in Concord N C.
He weighted only 3 lbs. 14 oz.
After birth we found out that he had a cleft palate like his Grandfather
and had just one kidney which was later determined to be abnormal and
also and worse he had an underdeveloped airway with problems breathing.
Dillion was put on oxygen and ventilation and sent to Carolinas Medical
Centers neonatal intensive care nursery in Charlotte.
At Carolinas Medical Center Dillion underwent more test including genetic.
At first they thought he had trisomy 18 or Smith Lemli opitz syndrome
but they were determined not to be the case.
One day while looking at a mri scan of Dillions palate and tongue area
Dillions plastic surgeon Dr David Matthews notice a narrowing of Dillions
spinal cord at the foramen magnum area he then notified Dr Scott
Mclanahan the pediatric neurosurgeon.
After looking at the MRI scan and a CT scan he talked to Janice and I
and recommend surgery to decompress the spine.
Around the first part of August Dillion underwent foramen Magnum
decompression surgery and Dr Matthews did a tongue release to
move the tongue forward at the same time because Dillion was having trouble feeding.
Dillion was put in a neck brace that he wore for several months after that.
Dillion continued to stay in the hospital until the doctors determined
that the only way he could go home was to have a tracheotomy
because he was continuing to have breathing and feeding problems.
Around the first part of September Dillion underwent surgery for
the second time to put in tracheostomy and feeding tubes.
After having surgery Dillion was doing good and was ready to come home.
On September 23 Dillion came home from the hospital where he had
stayed for the first three months of his life to began his life at home.
At home Dillion needed special care.
We had to keep his trach suctioned to keep it clear of secretions.
He had to ware a mist mask to keep his trach moist and he was
kelp on an AB monitor.
Dillion had 12 hours a day home care nursing.
Our Dillion was a sweet child some of the things he loved were
children's music like old McDonald had a farm and the song from
Celine Dion My heart will go on.
He loved balloons and played ball with his parents.
He loved to play peek a boo and he loved a lot of attention.
Some of the toys he loved were those books that make sounds.
He had a stuffed bunny he loved to sleep with and he loved to
watch his musical Mobil go around and around.
"Dillions Story Part 2 The Beginning of the End"
