Jackson Update 2: September 16

First of all, on behalf of Juliette and myself, I want to thank all of you for the overwhelming response of care and generosity you have made. We have truly been amazed at the outpouring of compassion from all of you. As I am constantly traveling back and forth between hospitals and doctors, I haven't yet had time to respond to your e-mails, but please know that they are greatly appreciated.

Juliette is doing better. It's been difficult on her because she hasn't been able to see Jackson since he left Centennial Hospital a few hours after birth. However, she left Centennial just this afternoon and has gotten to see Jackson for the first time, which is a blessing. She's still in a bit of pain, and moves around in a wheelchair, but she should be recovering well by this weekend.

Jackson is stable and is off of life support. He will undergo an arterial switch operation on Monday afternoon. During this type of open-heart surgery, the surgeons will switch his aorta and pulmonary artery that are currently in the wrong places. They will also rearrange his coronary arteries and patch two holes that he has inside his heart chambers.

Because he needs to be in the best physical condition for this surgery, he underwent another surgery last night. His heart was not getting oxygen into his blood on its own. Thus, they were giving him medicine that helped to do this, but the medicine was also causing fluid to collect in his lungs which could negatively impact his arterial switch. Therefore, the doctors perform a surgery known as a balloon septostomy (information here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon_septostomy). Using a catheter inserted into his leg, they popped a hole in the upper chamber of his heart which helps his heart to mix oxygen into the blood his body needs. As any surgery, particularly those affecting the heart, carries fatal risks, it was a scary time. However, we are thankful to say that the procedure was successful and he is doing great. He is now off of life-support, doesn't have to take any medicines to help him (and which had the negative side effects), and is breathing on his own. This was a temporary solution which will get him in better shape for his more critical surgery on Monday.

This weekend will be a time of rest for us as Jackson prepares physically for Monday, and Juliette and I prepare emotionally. However, it is a wonderful relief to have everyone stable and in the same hospital. Though the doctors might even decide to move Jackson out of intensive care (since he's doing better on his own), we still have to keep him somewhat quarantined before the surgery and for about 6 weeks afterwards (but some of that will be at home). I believe that some of you have asked about visitation. While we want to see each of you and thank you for your kindness, we've been informed by Jackson's surgeons that we must minimize interactions until the surgery. Even a small case of the common cold or allergies in us could be catastrophic to Jackson's system. However, we would love to have visitors after the surgery, so hopefully starting next Tuesday (if his surgery is performed on Monday as planned) we can visit with you, although Jackson must remain in isolation.

Thank you all again for your caring response, your thoughts, and your prayers. Though he has a long road ahead of him, Jackson has already survived some extremely difficult circumstances and should be in the best shape possible for his surgery next week. We appreciate all you've done and hope to send good news early next week.

This weekend will be a time of rest for us as Jackson prepares physically for Monday, and Juliette and I prepare emotionally. However, it is a wonderful relief to have everyone stable and in the same hospital. Though the doctors might even decide to move Jackson out of intensive care (since he's doing better on his own), we still have to keep him somewhat quarantined before the surgery and for about 6 weeks afterwards (but some of that will be at home). I believe that some of you have asked about visitation. While we want to see each of you and thank you for your kindness, we've been informed by Jackson's surgeons that we must minimize interactions until the surgery. Even a small case of the common cold or allergies in us could be catastrophic to Jackson's system. However, we would love to have visitors after the surgery, so hopefully starting next Tuesday (if his surgery is performed on Monday as planned) we can visit with you, although Jackson must remain in isolation.

Thank you all again for your caring response, your thoughts, and your prayers. Though he has a long road ahead of him, Jackson has already survived some extremely difficult circumstances and should be in the best shape possible for his surgery next week. We appreciate all you've done and hope to send good news early next week.

J.R.