Hello, today will be my big day. Last night was a little bumpy and they think I might be getting an infection, so they are running some checks on me. This afternoon they are going to take me to the cath lab where they will begin to decrease the assistance my machine is giving me. Then they will inject some dye into my bloodstream and follow it around. This will tell them if there is something they have to correct surgically. My mommy and daddy are very anxious and are praying very hard. Hopefully we will know more this afternoon.
Please say a prayer for me.
Love, Drew and Family
Watch me Grow
My Story
Hello, my name is Andrew Wade Jackson. My friends call me Drew. When my mommy was 17 weeks pregnant they found out that I have a severe heart defect called an unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect. This means I have holes in the septal wall of my heart and that only 1 of my 2 ventricles is working properly. This heart defect was caused by trisomy 21 often known as Downs Syndrome.
I was born in Kalispell on July 10th and 3 hours after birth took my first plane ride to Seattle. I was there for 10 days as they monitored my heart. Then I went home to Kalispell to be with my family.
On September 10th I was set to have a pulmonary band surgery which is normally a low risk surgery. However, they were not able to do this surgery and had to begin the "Norwood" series of surgeries. My first surgery was Sept. 11th. Early in the morning I went into surgery spending 4 hours on the heart and lung by-pass machine. When it was time to come off they could not get my heart and lungs started again. I went on a life support machine called ECMO which takes the blood from the body, gives it oxygen and sends it back. This machine would be my best friend for the next 12 days and ultimately saved my life. After many days on life support, many more in the CICU, and a while on the floor I was able to return home. At home I was on oxygen full time, had a feeding tube, and many medications. On April 28th, 2009 I had my second open heart surgery, the Glenn. This surgery was not near as eventful as the first and we were able to return home after only 15 days away. At home things have gone well. I am now without oxygen and without my feeding tube. Currently my Cardiologist is watching me closly as we wait for my next open heart surgery, the Fontan. This will take place between the ages of three and five. My mommy and daddy are nervous as this surgery is more major than the last. Given the complexity of my heart, my past history of issues, and my trisomy 21 make my surgerys more difficult. However, my mommy and daddy trust in the Lord and the Power of Prayer.
August of 2011 we decided to move to Seattle to be closer to Childrens and are adjusting to life in the big city. On Tuesday July 31st I will have my next major open heart surgery. Please remember to say a prayer for me.
Thank you for visiting my site.
Here are a few statistics about my life from July 10, 2008 to July 24,2012:
Days lived at Childrens: 55
Days in ICU: 33
Days on Life Support: 17
2 Open Heart Surgery(Complete with Heart and Lung By-Pass machine)
1 Heart Surgery
3 Heart Cauterization
1 Life Flight(Kalispell to Seattle)
1 Ambulance Ride(Kalispell Hospital to Airport)
3 Trips to Seattle
1 Cardiac Arrest(Complete with CPR and Epinephrine-This saved my life)
To many Echocardiograms to count
To many trips to Cardiologist to count
To many blood transfusions to count
Please say a prayer for me.
Love, Baby Drew and Family
I was born in Kalispell on July 10th and 3 hours after birth took my first plane ride to Seattle. I was there for 10 days as they monitored my heart. Then I went home to Kalispell to be with my family.
On September 10th I was set to have a pulmonary band surgery which is normally a low risk surgery. However, they were not able to do this surgery and had to begin the "Norwood" series of surgeries. My first surgery was Sept. 11th. Early in the morning I went into surgery spending 4 hours on the heart and lung by-pass machine. When it was time to come off they could not get my heart and lungs started again. I went on a life support machine called ECMO which takes the blood from the body, gives it oxygen and sends it back. This machine would be my best friend for the next 12 days and ultimately saved my life. After many days on life support, many more in the CICU, and a while on the floor I was able to return home. At home I was on oxygen full time, had a feeding tube, and many medications. On April 28th, 2009 I had my second open heart surgery, the Glenn. This surgery was not near as eventful as the first and we were able to return home after only 15 days away. At home things have gone well. I am now without oxygen and without my feeding tube. Currently my Cardiologist is watching me closly as we wait for my next open heart surgery, the Fontan. This will take place between the ages of three and five. My mommy and daddy are nervous as this surgery is more major than the last. Given the complexity of my heart, my past history of issues, and my trisomy 21 make my surgerys more difficult. However, my mommy and daddy trust in the Lord and the Power of Prayer.
August of 2011 we decided to move to Seattle to be closer to Childrens and are adjusting to life in the big city. On Tuesday July 31st I will have my next major open heart surgery. Please remember to say a prayer for me.
Thank you for visiting my site.
Here are a few statistics about my life from July 10, 2008 to July 24,2012:
Days lived at Childrens: 55
Days in ICU: 33
Days on Life Support: 17
2 Open Heart Surgery(Complete with Heart and Lung By-Pass machine)
1 Heart Surgery
3 Heart Cauterization
1 Life Flight(Kalispell to Seattle)
1 Ambulance Ride(Kalispell Hospital to Airport)
3 Trips to Seattle
1 Cardiac Arrest(Complete with CPR and Epinephrine-This saved my life)
To many Echocardiograms to count
To many trips to Cardiologist to count
To many blood transfusions to count
Please say a prayer for me.
Love, Baby Drew and Family
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19 comments:
Drew,
We love you and your family and have enjoyed getting to play with with your sister!
Plese let us know what we can do to help you out!
Sam, Shannon, Levi, and Max Middlebrook (on the fourth floor)
PS - Max has a blog, too! www.maxmiddlebrook.blogspot.com
My name is Heidi - I am Sam Middlebrook's assistant at Christ the King Community Church in Bellingham, WA.
I understand God has allowed the two of you to cross paths to get through some difficult times together...that's awesome!!
Well - I am praying for Drew today.
You will be in my thoughts - please keep posting as he progresses!!!
Thank you!
God Bless you in this time
Dear Drew's family ~
Babies are too precious! Your Drew is in my prayers. After all, MAX sent me. ;) (I'll pray for the entire family as well.)
I understand some of the feeling you're having. Our son almost died when he was 18 days old. Dr.s warned us to prepare for a SIDS baby. Many prayed long and hard. There were so many twists and turns in his health. Surgery was common. One eye surgery was done on the wrong eye!
God has a reason for everything. Today is he a healthy 21 year old nurse. His start lead him closer to the Lord.
Keep the faith. God is with you.
Respectfully ~
Mary McKnight
McKnight Guitars
Ohio (USA)
Drew... you are covering in pray today and until you are home again! We know the Middlebrooks, and I am so grateful God brought your families together, even though the times are difficult. Find your strength in Him who loves you beyond all understanding. Blessings to you all.
Karyn & Rick Norris
Hi Drew, and family. I read about you folks on Max Middlebrook's blog. I just want you to know that someone in Snohomish Wasington cares very much. You have my very best thoughts and prayers.
Hi Drew and Family,
Max told us you weren't feeling well. We wanted to let you know that we are praying for you! Get well soon.
Mark, Rebecca, Charli and Georgia
Praying for sweet Drew in Texas.
Hi Drew, and family,
I just want you to know that someone in Snohomish Washington cares very much.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi, Drew!
Just wanted you to know that you have a friend you and your family haven't met yet, praying for you, from the middle of Georgia. I'm praying for your family, and all the doctors and nurses helping you to get better, too! (Max's Dad, Sam, said it was OK for me to say hey.)
Your Mom and Dad love you VERY much, but that's just a tiny glimpse of how much you're loved by the One who gave you life. May His love and presence be obvious in your room there, and through all the days of your life!
John Cotten
Drew- Praying for God to do His wonders through you and your family.
Drew, you are a very special little boy. I was told of you by the Middlebrooks. Through them, you will most certainly have many more lifting you before your heavenly Father. Our prayers are with you for a very quick recovery.
Hello from Olympia, WA! I'm so sad to hear about your heart-condition baby Drew. My daughter was in the hospital for 6 weeks because she was born too early. But I can't imagine what you must be going through! But just know that I'll be in Olympia praying for you, and asking that you'll experience recovery.
Hang in there little man, it's a difficult place to be in
WOW mom and dad you must feel like you have been hit by a truck.I read about your ordeal on Max's blog and i want you to know that I will tuck you all and especially Drew into my prayers I worship a mighty God and we will pray that he will help out .
Hi Drew,
I have been very worried about you today. I have been praying that today will be your lucky day. Your number is coming around so just keep your head up. I love you.
Tawna
Baby Drew-
Max sent me your way. You are in my prayers!! I have two children of my own and I know how much I love them, so I am praying for your Mommy and Daddy, too. And I have a little sister and I know how much I love her, so I am praying for your older sisters, too. Stay strong, little man!!!
Drew! You are precious and remind me so much of my Benjamin (who is now a whoppin' 5 months old!) Max sent us and we will be praying for you during the morning, noon and night. God bless your family.
With love,
Kyle and Krista, Katie (3), William (2) and Ben (5 months) Schei
Drew,
Keep strong, buddy. We love you and pray for you and your family every day...all day.
Psalm 71: 3, 20-21
Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. You, who have shown me great and sever troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Hi Drew (and family), just wanted you to know that someone you don't know, who lives far away in the land of Arkansas, is praying for you. Get better real soon, Steve
(a friend of Max's dad)
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