Jackson was diagnosed with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome before he was born in May 2017. He had his first open-heart surgery at just 4 days old, the hybrid procedure, in hopes that his little body could grow and get stronger before going on bypass and starting the 3 staged interventions to reconstruct his single ventricle heart. One of his amazing doctors quickly realized The hybrid procedure was not working with his anatomy and he had to have another open-heart surgery at 1 week old, unfortunately, this put him at a greater risk for complications having already undergone surgery days before. Jackson’s chest had to stay open for 3 days after that surgery to allow room for swelling in his tiny chest.

Despite his very rough start, Jackson got to go home for the first time at 3 weeks old but had to return at 5 months old for his first heart cath and his second stage of the surgeries, the Glenn operation a month later. After his Glenn, Jackson managed to stay out of the hospital and grow and thrive, living life as normal as possible. He had to return to the hospital life this past year for 2 heart caths and his final open heart surgery of the 3 stages, his Fontan. After months of frequent appointments, Jackson now gets a break and doesn’t have to go back until summer for another cardiology follow-up. He will be monitored for the rest of his life and most likely will need more cath procedures in the future. We are so thankful for the amazing surgeons and cardiologists that have given Jackson a chance at life. He can finally get back to being a normal 4-year-old boy who loves to be silly and play with his 2 big brothers and his little sister. This little boy has never let his half a heart slow him down!