Friday, July 31, 2009

Resting on ECMO

Baby Jackson is stable and resting on ECMO. For those of you who don't know about ECMO, it is basically a heart/lung bypass machine that will give Jackson's lungs a rest and time to develop more. ECMO is used when the ventilator settings would have to go outside the "gentle" ventilation strategy settings to keep O2 and CO2 measurements in check. To avoid compounding the already critical situation by damaging his lungs with more aggressive ventilator settings, they bypass them with ECMO and perform the O2 and CO2 gas exchange in the blood in a machine and then return it to his body.

Stef did get to visit Candice today and she is still in a lot of pain. She may be discharged as early as tomorrow. We did hear that they determined the liver is down below the diaphragm which is good news and should make for an easier surgery. The surgery isn't on the immediate horizon as they give Jackson some time to rest.

Please continue to pray for this little CDH warrior who is fighting so hard to get through this difficult battle.

We will update as we get more information.
Shawn

7 comments:

  1. So glad Jackson is resting and that the liver is down... Kayla, Jer and I are praying for all three of you!! Hang in there!!

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  2. Praying for Jackson and the entire family!

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  3. Shawn,
    thank you for the update! The liver down really IS great news! Fingers crossed that it is indeed below the diaphragm.
    The Beal's are always in our prayers...as are you guys!
    Hugs,
    Sheryl

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  4. We are keeping this family in our thoughts and prayers!

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  5. The last minute trip to the other hospital was a great decision since Jackson really needed the ECMO right away. Hope he can come off it quickly. In the mean time he can rest and get stronger to fight his CDH battle.
    Prayers for the entire family.

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  6. I am Shawn Studdard's aunt, and I want you to know I am praying for Jackson to be strong and a fighter, for you two to have the strength you need, and for the doctors and nurses to put forth all their energy, knowledge and skill to heal Jackson. God bless your family.
    Sincerely,
    Judy Hamlet

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  7. you all will be in my prayers

    Alison mommy to seth 4/20/07 CDH

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