Today was Meaghan's fifth broncoscopy in a one year time period.  This time it was outpatient.  Our experience was so positive today.  We had no trouble getting to the hospital in plenty of time, probably thanks to the lighter traffic post the Ravens big win last night.  We had enough time that Jay and I had a cup of coffee before checking in at Pre-op.  I hadn't even sat down in the waiting room before our name was called and Meaghan was checked in.  Dr. M was ahead of schedule this morning so Meaghan's procedure started 1/2 an hour early.  She was out of surgery and we were at her bedside by 10:30am.  The nurses said everything went very well.  Dr. M sat with us and said he was, in general, happy with what he saw.  Meaghan has some fluid in the upper and middle lobe of her left lung.  That is different from what we saw in November.  Some samples were collected so we'll have to wait and see if any "bug" grows.  First results could be in by 24 hours post bronc.  Pseudomonas is one of our big concerns and that could be 48 hours before we hear.  The really big concern is MAI and that slow growing little bugger could take 2-3 weeks to show up.  We have had 2 clean MAI cultures already so we have reason to be positive for this one too.  The nurses will call us if there is pseudomonas or some other bug by later this week.  Once we hear about pseudomonas I have to schedule a follow up clinic visit for 1 month from now. So, for now, we wait and keep up with current schedule of medications and therapies. 

I hope that came out sounding optimistic.  I'm trying to stay positive, things went very well.  Better than I expected.  It was a long day and my head is spinning, but I am smiling.  We were home before 1pm with Meaghan's favorite in hand.  I never would have guessed that she would eat all of her 4pc nuggets and leave french fries on her plate.  Anyway, she's eating, drinking and playing just like today's procedure never happened.  We're still going to have a"sick" day tomorrow.  Jonathan has school so Meaghan and I will get to hang out for a little while, just us girls.  Today, we had a great afternoon.  It was Jonathan's birthday so Meaghan helped me "make" and decorate his cake.  He asked me for a mountain with a dragon and knight in a sword fight.  He got his wish and he was very happy with the result. 

I'm so happy that today was a great day for everyone.  Thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts.  Your support has given me strength to fight along side Meaghan against cystic fibrosis and begin to recapture pieces of who I use to be as well.  Every day we get better, one breath at a time.

God Bless.