A breath restored: One teen’s journey living with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP)—and the first whole lung lavage performed at LCMC Health

At 17, Journee Sonnier is the kind of student who lights up a room.

A high school junior, she’s deeply involved in campus life—serving as a class officer, joining 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 looked like a routine illness turned into a frightening pattern no one could fully explain.

When breathing became a struggle

Journee's respiratory problems kept returning, and new symptoms came with them: 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, an early sign that something deeper was going on. In November 2024, she was diagnosed with asthma, but the frequency and severity of her illnesses left Antoilla unconvinced. She pushed for more answers and requested 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: Journee’s lungs were more compromised than expected. She was referred to specialists at Manning Family Children’s, and there her care took a critical turn.

Under the care of David Swetland, MD—a pediatric pulmonologist at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Section of Pediatric 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 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 Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP), a disorder in which the air sacs of the lungs fill with a thick, protein-like material. Instead of staying open to pass oxygen into the bloodstream, the alveoli become clogged, making it difficult for the body to get the oxygen it needs.

That buildup can cause persistent shortness of breath, fatigue, and recurrent infections like pneumonia—the exact symptoms Journee had lived with for two years. In some cases, PAP is linked to autoimmune processes, genetic factors, or underlying immune dysfunction, though pinpointing the exact cause can be challenging. There is currently no cure, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing progression, and addressing any underlying cause once it’s 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 to flush out the accumulated protein material blocking the air sacs, allowing the lung to work more effectively. The procedure treats one lung at a time, with the second done at a later date if needed.

Journee underwent her first whole lung lavage on her left lung in November 2025, performed by Ramsy Abdelghani, MD, an interventional pulmonologist at East Jefferson General Hospital and an 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.”

Journee gradually returned to her activities and started feeling like herself again. Then, in early 2026, the flu and pneumonia set her back. "She started getting short of breath again," Antoilla 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.”

She's stepped away from track for now but remains active in cheerleading and engaged at school, taking steady steps forward as she learns to manage her condition and listen to her body. She's also looking ahead to graduating next year and studying nursing in college — inspired by the medical teams who cared for her, she hopes to one day care for others.

The experience at East Jefferson General Hospital stayed with her. “The staff was very patient with me and took great care 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.

Follow-up matters with PAP. According to Dr. Abdelghani, patients need frequent monitoring to track improvement and watch for any recurrence, with treatment centered on identifying and addressing the underlying cause when possible.

“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 shows 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 found not only a diagnosis but access to advanced, life-changing treatment.

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

To learn more about the pulmonology care at Manning Family Children’s, visit https://www.manningchildrens.org/services/pulmonology/

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About Manning Family Children’s: Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.