Happy Mother's Day!

Jackson has been doing very well on the increased support from his vent, which has allowed his heart and lungs to be given a rest. Jackson has been on 55% oxygen since Wednesday afternoon until Dr. Adcock decided to bump him up just a bit more on oxygen to 58% on Saturday. On Wednesday when the doctors drew Jackson's blood to check his BNP level (something that gives an indication about how hard the heart is having to pump; the lower the better) it was 2995, which is very high. On Friday when the doctors checked his BNP level it was much lower, having come all the way down to 754. The doctors want Jackson to keep his oxygen saturation levels above 95% for the time being and Jackson has been doing just that. The only time he has seemed to drop below 95% is when he is being messed with or squirming too much for the pulse ox to pick up a proper reading. Jackson's heart rate has been much lower over the past several days as well, as it has been staying in the 90's to 110's while sleeping and in the 120's to 140's while awake. Just a few days ago his heart rate would be in the 140's when asleep and in the 160's to 180's while awake, so this has improved a lot as his heart is pumping more effectively. Jackson is scheduled for another echocardiogram tomorrow so they can see how much pressure his heart is having to exert. Last Wednesday the number they got from the echo was 4.7, which is high, so hopefully this number will be much improved on Monday. Physical therapists continue to work with Jackson on his head mobility and it seems to be helping. Jackson has been moving his head to the right a little bit on his own, which is big news since he doesn't like to go to the right because he had to have his head to the far left for the first 4 weeks of his life while on ECMO. He has even been tolerating laying on the right side more than he has in the past. Thank-you for your continued prayers for Jackson.

Love,
Adam & Kimberly