Life at the Jackson household

If you looked at Michael and I before July 1st and told us that our life would change, we would have knodded and smiled at you. Can I tell you now that we really know what you mean? We have been truly blessed and had a wonderful time with our blessing from God. Michael took Wednesday to Wednesday off after we brought J.B. home from the hospital. This was truly a blessing as we had three doctors appointments to go to, two of them being in Greenville. With questions still to be answered, J.B. is continuing to grow and do very well each and every day. Suprisingly and we may be eating our words, HE IS SLEEPING AT NIGHT!! Michael actually has to wake him up to give him his bottle and medicine. Please do not tell us not to wake a sleeping baby because our beloved son is a special case. Ha! JB has enjoyed visits with Mimi and Poppi, Nana and Papa, Uncle Barry, Aunt Ruth Ann, cousins Matthew, Kim, Philip, and Braewyn, and other special friends. We are still keeping him in until we get an answer of some sort from the doctor. They are still baffled by what our son has exactly. However, we are just trusting in the Lord to continue to do a good work in our son. If we were to explain what exactly is wrong, most of you would give us a deer in head light stares. We are just simply telling everyone that he has a adrenal gland (the orange looking gland that sits above your kidney) problem which causes him to loose salt. He is continuing to take the salt solution in his bottle three times a day and steroid twice a day. Thanks so much for our friends and continued support through phone calls and prayer. We are truly blessed to have family and friends that surround us. God is good, all the time!!!

He is Home!!!

Praise the Lord!! We brought J.B. home on Tuesday afternoon. The doctors felt comfortable sending him home as he has to continue being on the medications. Yesterday, we took him to Dr. Amrhein (pediatric endocrinologist) yesterday. He is also puzzled with everything in his lab work and electrolytes. He feels that there is some adrenal gland insufficiency of some sort but not sure what. They are doing more blood work and sending it off to a top endocrinology lab in the country. JB's numbers are looking better. Just continue to pray that they can get to the bottom of the matter and that he will continue to improve as he is daily. My favorite saying even in the midst of all is "God is good, all the time!! All the time, God is good!!" We are so greatful for all the prayers and phone calls. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family. Updates to come later. Sorry if they are a couple of days late!!

Update on J.B. 3

Greetings!! Everyone. Michael and I were able to get some news on our son. The doctor this weekend ordered an ultrasound of his head and adrenal glands. J.B. has gotten better at taking his medicine. Who would want to drink salted breast milk? So for the news.... Dr. Wood, the fourth neonatologist who has been over him told us today that he feels that J.B.'s electrolyte issues are due to bleeding on his right adrenal gland. Dr. Wood feels that this is something that will take care of itself and will continue to be treated until the bleeding has ceased. This is better news as the other condition would be life long and medicine would have to be given for the rest of his life. Dr. Wood also said that his left adrenal gland was normal, and that with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, both adrenal glands would be enlarged. We are not out of the woods yet; however, J.B.'s blood work is beginning to look more normal. As soon as he is discharged from the hospital, we will follow up with the pediatric endocrinologist within a couple of days. Please continue to pray for our little guy. He is a fighter and a gift from God that is indescribable to us!! We are so blessed to serve a wonderful God who continues to show his faithfulness every day!!! Promise, more pics to come soon.

Update on J.B. 2

I know that I have mentioned the staff at SRHS NICU, but I just want to praise them again for the wonderful care that they give the babies in the unit. J.B. is making progress as his numbers are starting to look better in the blood work. They finally were able to send off more blood work to determine the problem. We, as parents, will have to keep tabs on him that he stays alert, eats well, and does all the stuff a baby loves to do. As of this morning, he was doing all of these. The doctor wants to monitor him over the weekend, get blood work back, and if all goes well, we will go home with him on Monday. He has been put on sodium chloride (salt pill) and another medication which is basically a steroid (the good kind). For those that will want to see our bundle of joy, when you come to our house, you must wash your hands!!! His little body is already having to build immunity but also the steroid is suppressing his immune system. We love you all, but we love our little boy most.

Update on J.B.

Here is the latest our friends. JB is still in NICU, but continuing to do well. He is totally off the IV fluids at this point. His blood sugars are under control and holding well;however, other levels have not been what they should. On Sunday, they began to worry about his potassium levels as they were 9.4 (normal below 6.0-6.5). To treat this condition, they would normally give him insulin, but due to the blood glucose issues, this was not the choice of treatment. The doctor decided to give him suppositories to see if the levels would go down. This was not fun to watch as he was not the happiest camper. Praise the Lord! His potassium is steadily going down each blood stick. However, last night we learned that his sodium levels are now not where they should be as they are to low. The doctor talked to us and said that he feels that there may be something going on with his electolyte levels since these three levels have been the issue. We are waiting on one test to come back and then to determine what other test might need to be done. Dr. Cole mentioned that there is a possibility that this could be linked to a condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We are not sure but if it is, then this is something that can be treated. Dr. Cole is great and we are trusting the greatest Physician to continue to do a good work in our little boy. As for Michael and I, we are holding up pretty well. I am sorry if I have not returned your phone calls or have talked to you, but I know that you would understand. Soon, you will be able to meet our bundle of joy. Here are some more pictures from the weekend.

He is here!!!

Hello! all. Just wanted to let you know Joseph Brooks Jackson was born on July 1, 2009 at 6:46 P.M. He weighed 7 1b. 13 oz. and was 22.5" long. He had a shaky start into this world as the umbilical cord was somewhat wrapped around him. Let me tell you God is so good and faithful as He has proved this to us through this birth process. Due to the fast pace of J.B. moving through the birth canal, he was not able to receive the pressure he needed to clear everything out of his lungs so therefore in addition to the umilical cord, he had some fluid on his lungs. As the laboring process was being completed, the doctor said "NICU", and the post partum horomones kicked in quickly. That was probably the toughest abbreviation in my mind that I have ever heard as it hit close to home for us. We were told that J.B. would be there for about 4 hours and would be sent up to our room if all was well. Breathing was clear; however, blood sugar was not. They were able to bring him up for about an hour and a half, but he was quickly taken back. However, God continues to show his faithfulness. He was admitted and Dr. Cole told us yesterday that he felt that J.B.'s conditions were all due to stress of the delivery. Today, Friday, J.B. is going to start milk and will gradually move off of the IV with hopes that his blood sugar will remain elevated. The nurses here at Spartanburg Regional are wonderful and NICU team has been nothing short of amazing. That is all we have for you!! We will let you know what more is to come as the weekend progresses. Mollie will most likely go home on Saturday but not sure until doctor comes in today. Please continue to pray. We are doing well as this has been one of the hardest events I have faced but know that only this is the beginning with our precious son. God definitely was right there in the delivery process on Wednesday and that is all we have to say. Here are some pics of our precious, look like my daddy Joseph Brooks Jackson.