A Breath Restored: One Teen’s Journey Living with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) and Treatment with Whole Lung Lavage—the First Performed at LCMC Health

At 17, Journee Sonnier is the kind of student who lights up a room. A junior in high school, she’s deeply involved in campus life serving as a class officer, participating in clubs like Beta, and bringing energy and spirit to her cheerleading squad. She loves spending time with her family, growing in her faith, and staying active.

But in 2023, something changed.

What first seemed like a routine illness soon became a frightening pattern—one that no one could fully explain.

When Breathing Became a Struggle

Journee began experiencing respiratory problems again and again. Along with it came new symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, and an unusual pain in her back.

“My left side of my back was hurting,” Journee recalled. “And when I would do activities, I would get out of breath.”

Her mother, Antoilla Jean Lewis, noticed the changes too.

“When she tried to play or run around, she’d get short-winded out of nowhere,” Antoilla said. “Even with cheer and track, she needed more breaks. She had to use her inhaler more often.”

Journee’s pediatrician and local providers in Lafayette conducted imaging and evaluations, but her condition continued to decline.

Between 2023 and 2024, Journee was diagnosed with pneumonia four to five times, raising early concerns about an underlying issue. In November 2024, she was diagnosed with asthma, but her mother remained concerned given the frequency and severity of her respiratory illnesses and advocated for further evaluation, requesting a referral to a lung specialist.

A Relentless Search for a Diagnosis

That referral led her to a lung specialist in Lafayette, where imaging raised further concern, revealing her lungs were more compromised than expected. She was then referred to specialists at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans, where her care took a critical turn.

Under the care of David Swetland, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist at Manning Family Children’s and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Section of Pediatrics Pulmonology) at Tulane University School of Medicine, Journee underwent a comprehensive evaluation in early 2025. Her care team performed pulmonary function testing, blood work, genetic testing, advanced imaging, and ultimately a lung biopsy to better understand what was happening inside her lungs.

“At Manning Family Children’s, they started giving us clearer answers,” Antoilla said.

Those answers eventually led to a rare diagnosis.

Journee was diagnosed with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP)—a rare lung disorder in which the air sacs of the lungs fill with a thick, protein-like material. Instead of remaining open and allowing oxygen to pass into the bloodstream, the alveoli become clogged, making it difficult for the body to get the oxygen it needs.

This buildup can lead to persistent shortness of breath, fatigue, and recurrent infections like pneumonia—symptoms Journee had been experiencing for two years. In some cases, PAP is linked to autoimmune processes, genetic factors, or underlying immune dysfunction, though determining the exact cause can be complex.

Currently, there is no cure for PAP, and treatment is focused on managing symptoms, slowing progression, and addressing any underlying cause when identified.

Collaboration That Changed the Course of Care

Because of the complexity of her condition, Journee’s care required multidisciplinary coordination.

Dr. Swetland and the pediatric pulmonary team at Manning Family Children’s partnered with interventional pulmonary specialists at East Jefferson General Hospital to ensure Journee could receive the advanced treatment she needed.

This collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists allowed her to seamlessly transition to a higher level of procedural care while remaining within the LCMC Health system.

Whole Lung Lavage: A Critical Turning Point

For patients with more advanced cases of PAP, the most effective treatment is a procedure known as whole lung lavage.

Unlike a routine bronchoscopy, whole lung lavage is a highly specialized, carefully coordinated procedure. Under general anesthesia, one lung is supported with ventilation while the other is repeatedly washed with a saline solution. This process helps remove the accumulated protein material blocking the air sacs, allowing the lung to function more effectively. The procedure is typically performed one lung at a time, with the second lung treated at a later date if needed.

Journee underwent her first whole lung lavage on her left lung on November 17, 2025, performed by Ramsy Abdelghani, MD, an interventional pulmonologist at East Jefferson General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Director of Interventional Pulmonary at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Although she felt nervous going into the procedure, Journee quickly began to notice improvement. “I could breathe better,” she said. “I didn’t have to use my inhaler as much.”

After her first lavage, she gradually returned to activities and started feeling more like herself again. But in early 2026, after developing the flu and pneumonia, her symptoms returned.

“She started getting short of breath again,” her mother said. “It kind of set her back.”

In February 2026, Journee underwent a second lavage—this time on her right lung—to once again clear the buildup and improve her breathing.

This procedure marked a significant milestone—it was the first whole lung lavage performed within LCMC Health, underscoring the advanced capabilities and expertise available at East Jefferson General Hospital.

“Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis is a rare, complex condition that requires a highly specialized approach,” said Dr. Abdelghani. “Whole lung lavage is the gold standard treatment in more advanced cases, but it is technically demanding and requires close coordination across multiple disciplines. At East Jefferson General Hospital, we have the expertise and team-based approach to safely perform this procedure and help restore lung function for patients like Journee.”

Healing and Looking Ahead

Today, Journee is focused on recovery.

“I’ve been doing better,” she said. “I’m just taking time to heal before getting back into activities.”

While she has stepped away from track for now, she remains active in cheerleading and continues to stay engaged in school, demonstrating the resilience that has carried her through every step of this journey.

Journee is taking meaningful and steady steps toward recovery, learning how to manage her condition, and listen to her body along the way.

She is also looking ahead to graduating next year and pursuing a college degree in nursing so she can one day help care for others, inspired by the medical teams who cared for her.

For Journee, the experience at East Jefferson General Hospital left a lasting impression.

“The staff was very patient with me and took greatcare of me,” Journee said.

Her mother echoed that gratitude.

“We are grateful to her doctors and the team for taking such good care of her,” Antoilla said.

According to Dr. Abdelghani, follow-up care for patients with PAP requires frequent monitoring to assess for improvement and watch for any possible recurrence of the disease. Treatment typically focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying cause when it can be determined.

“When the underlying cause of PAP isn’t clearly identified, patients may require repeat lung lavages to manage symptoms and preserve lung function over time,” said Dr. Abdelghani. “Journee’s primary pediatric pulmonologist will continue working closely with her to better understand what may have contributed to her condition. The good news is that with proper treatment and ongoing care, many patients are able to go on and live normal, healthy lives.”

A Story of Persistence and Partnership

Journee’s journey is a powerful example of how persistence, collaboration, and specialized expertise can lead to answers—even in the most complex cases.

Through the partnership between Manning Family Children’s and East Jefferson General Hospital, she received not only a diagnosis—but access to advanced, life-changing treatment.

And today, she’s breathing easier because of it. To learn more about the pulmonology care at East Jefferson General Hospital, visit Respiratory Care | East Jefferson General Hospital.