Bronchopulmonary who?!?!

Bad news is that I had to get back on the ventilator yesterday. My doctors did everything they could to try to keep me off, but I just got tired. I am now taking my third round of steroids and I saw a pulmonologist who changed some things around that will hopefully help me get over this. Good news is that I finally got a diagnosis for the problems that I have been having with my breathing - bronchopulmonary dysplasia. BPD is a chronic lung disorder that occurs most often in infants who were born very premature, particularly infants who needed the support of a ventilator for more than a few weeks after birth. The tissues of the lungs get damaged when they are over stretched by the pressure of the ventilator. The great news is that most all infants with this disorder survive. We just need a little more support until our lungs grow enough good air sacs to manage breathing on our own. Seeing as that I am now 3lbs 11oz, I am well on my way to getting bigger. I may have to come home on oxygen therapy or take breathing treatments for a little while, but the parents are prepared to do whatever they need to for me. This will definitely be motivation to keep my Mom from going back to her old ugly smoking habit. That's all for now, but please keep me in your prayers. I hope you all have a wonderful and SAFE holiday weekend!