Akim-Jeremiah Jocelyn

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. Please NOTE: We became aware that donations are being made on the site. However, please note that currently, these donations are going directly to the CaringBridge Site, not to Akim.  We have set up a GoFundMe account to accommodate those of you who have expressed an interest in donating to a fund for Akim's care. Akim is a happy 14 year-old 9th grader. He is a freshman at Newton South High School. He loves running and runs track and cross country. On Saturday, April 28th, Akim shared he was experiencing chest pain and was also noted to have a fever. That morning Akim was taken to a community hospital on the South Shore. He was discharged from there to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take some Motrin. As the day progressed into the evening night of April 28th, Akim was rushed to Boston Children’s Hospital. At this point, Akim’s symptoms and signs increased with shortness of breath, chest pain, increased respiratory rate, low oxygen level. Akim was brought emergently to the cardiac intensive care unit. A cardiac ultrasound was done and revealed pericardial effusion. At this time, Akim was breathing fast, his blood pressure was low, and his heart rate was fast. A breathing tube was placed and connected to a breathing machine to help Akim with his breathing. Blood pressure medicines were given to Akim to support his blood pressure. Heart medicines were given to support his heart. Akim was given medications to sedate him and paralyze him to rest him to allow the life support machine to do the work. The team were looking at 2 diagnoses - cardiomyopathy or acute myocarditis. On Sunday night, April 29th, Akim continued to be in critical condition.