Dear friends, this is an updated report on Jackson beginning his dialysis in the apartment we rented in the Dominican Republic. With Jesse are Jovanie, RN, one of our Love A Child kids, Phanise, our RN who works at the Jesus Healing Center, Philemond our driver, and the trainer, doctors, and nurses who came by to check on things. Bobby and Sherry
“Jackson had a full week, this week, with all of the training, tests, imaging, and doctor visits. Everything is going really well. His incisions are healing up nicely. I was actually surprised by how small the scars are. The doctors are happy with the progress.
We had imaging taken on Friday in order for the surgeons to make sure that everything was placed correctly inside his abdomen. We will know the results on Monday. He also has a follow-up appointment with the lead doctor on Monday, just to make sure everything is going well.
Jackson has started dialysis but in a very limited capacity. The dialysis team is training our nurses on how to do the peritoneal dialysis manually. This first phase of training involves Jackson undergoing dialysis, but manual peritoneal dialysis. It is done without the use of a machine. The process involves plastic bags full of special fluid, almost like IV bags hanging above his head, but instead of going into a vein, they feed a tube that goes directly into his abdomen. The fluids are gravity-fed into his body and then it gets drained out after a while to a different bag below him. What comes out is pretty interesting. In my opinion, dialysis is effective, but I’m not a doctor. The liquids that are removed from his body through the process definitely contain toxins!
Our nurses are doing very well in the training. They are very professional and are taking great care of Jackson in the process. Next week’s schedule will probably be more of the same. There are only three doctor visits scheduled so far, but training and dialysis will take place daily.
When I left the apartment this morning to head toward the airport, the girls were prepping the place for training. They have a daily regime that they go through. They sterilize the room and prep everything for dialysis. By the time they get back to Haiti, the process should be like a well-oiled machine.
But the end goal is that Jackson learns to do everything for himself. He is learning the process, but it is a lot to digest right now. I have confidence in him that he will be able to do this and the near future without assistance. Much like brushing his teeth or taking a shower, this will become part of his daily routine.
Jackson, health-wise, is doing very well. The doctors are happy with everything so far. He is beginning to become more active. He walks daily and goes up and down the stairs at the apartment. He is learning to adjust to his new appendage. But that will take some time. He basically has a tube coming out of his upper abdomen. I bought him a special harness for it that he wears around his midsection almost like a cumber bun. This helps keep it out of the way when he is active.
Thank you for everyone’s support and patience. God is good and always faithful. I know Jackson has a bright future because of all of the effort, time, and money that has been poured into his young life. God bless, Jesse”