Our Sweet Boy Mason (MIS-C)

This is against Monica’s better judgement, but the Morton’s can’t do this alone. 

Most of you know what is going on with sweet, innocent Mason, but for those that don’t here’s a quick recap: 

A few weeks ago Monica’s whole household came down with Covid. For the most part, Monica felt like they came out of that pretty unscathed especially considering Mason typically gets hit hard with things. Since Mason was a baby, he suffers every flu season, even being hospitalized with pneumonia multiple times in his few short years of life. So Monica felt very fortunate that all 3 of her babies suffered very few symptoms and had moved on like nothing happened.

Fast forward a few weeks: 

Mason started coming down with- something, she thought maybe the flu, but hoping for just a cold. Her COVID fears were over considering they’d already been hit. It started with neck pain, followed by fevers up to 104 and severe exhaustion, then a rash that started on his hands. Monica is so used to Mason getting fevers and being sick, she was very unsure if she should bring him in or not. Normally she would make him a dr appointment and more likely than not, get sent to the hospital for further evaluation… but did I mention the nor’easter that was in full effect and the state of emergency New Jersey was under? Or the part where Monica, an Airforce wife to Raheem who is currently overseas in Turkey, is a Mama of 3 babes and no one could get to her due to the aforementioned blizzard?! Her decision was made for her when Mason’s condition worsened overnight and a phone call to a doctor suggested he had meningitis. She got all 3 kids ready and went out to start her car and I can’t even make this up- her car wouldn’t start and she had a flat tire. So- Hello 911? Ambulance for a party of 4 please. 

Mason went from a local emergency room to a top Northeast children’s hospital (hospital to remain disclosed for privacy and safety, if you know Mason’s location we kindly ask that you do not share). But located in a different state then his home state. He has had countless tests, they now need to use an ultrasound to locate veins on him, he is lethargic, in and out of consciousness, hooked up to multiple lines, on and off oxygen, swollen, undergone IVIG treatments resulting in fluid on his heart and in his belly, treatments to raise his blood pressure, steroid treatments causing him rage and so much more that I know I am missing.

Where we are now:

Mason’s diagnosis is MIS-C (Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children), a heart that is not pumping sufficiently and pneumonia, both resulting from COVID- just when the Mortons thought their COVID fears could be put to rest. They are saying there has to be more because even with treatment his condition keeps getting worse. They are now testing him for sepsis. Raheem is coming home on emergency leave, I can’t share more on that just yet for security reasons, but yes he will be able to be by Monica and Mason’s side in the hospital. The other 2 Morton babes are with family in NY that has taken time from work to be Monica’s support system in this terrible nightmare. 

What we are asking:

No one likes to ask for help in this way and we hate that it comes down to money especially when it has to do with the life of a child, but here we are. 

Raheem was fortunately able to get a very last minute flight, but this came with a $2,000 price tag. That is in addition to meals and travel expenses for Monica and family members caring for Maddox and Nori and all of the back and forth between the 3 states. Not to mention the Morton family car that needs to be repaired or replaced when the family finally gets settled back home. We currently have no timeline for Mason’s discharge from the hospital, but children diagnosed with MIS-C have not had less than a week’s stay. The doctors still know so little about COVID and MIS-C so it has all been a guessing game. The Morton’s February bill money and small savings they have has been depleted and this is just the beginning of expenses they will accrue. Please help out this military family if you can and please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. The Mortons and their village thank you so much and are already blown away by the support through kind words and encouragement.