Support the Gibson family through Jaxon’s medical journey

Please read Jaxon’s story

Hi everyone! My name is Haley, and I am raising money for my sister’s family! My sister, Kaitlin, and her husband, Zack, received the most exciting news of expecting a baby in January of 2023. In March, they found out their little one was a boy! They decided to name him Jaxon. In April 2023, Kaitlin found out that their journey would change forever. Kaitlin and Zack received the news that their son would be born with a severe heart condition. They were unsure of the exact diagnosis at this time, but knew the care would require extensive treatment and surgical interventions as Jaxon would not be able to survive outside of the womb without it. Kaitlin also found out that she had vasa previa (a condition which could cause death of an unborn child) which would further complicate Jaxon’s arrival. Due to these diagnoses, prenatal surveillance was very extensive. The medical team grew from an OBGYN to a team of high risk maternal fetal medicine, pediatric cardiology, and genetics. The team monitored mom and baby closely giving Zack and Kaitlin updates on Jaxon’s condition each week. They were given the dreaded conversation of what survival and life would look like for this baby and what the unknowns could look like and were given options. Kaitlin knew without a doubt that she would give Jaxon every chance at life in God’s will. As time progressed, it became more evident that Jaxon’s heart condition was more severe than expected. For the safety of Jaxon, the high risk OB team recommended delivery of Jaxon at 34-36 weeks, while the cardiology team urged that 37 weeks was vital for Jaxon’s heart and lungs to be developed enough for the required life saving interventions. What started as a usual day ended in tears of the unknown. On June 29, 2023, Kaitlin’s water broke at 29 weeks as she was getting ready to head home from work. Jaxon entered emergently into the world on June 30th weighing 2lbs 9oz and measuring 15 inches long. Jaxon had to have immediate intubation and an IV medicine to keep his heart vessel open. Further testing after Jaxon was born showed that Jaxon has severe Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary artery stenosis. Soon after his arrival, the medical team also discovered Jaxon’s esophagus and stomach did not connect and there was a connection between his esophagus and trachea. He was diagnosed with VACTERL association. The surgery to repair his esophagus and trachea was completed at 3 days of life. This surgery had a 25% survival rate. Jaxon did amazing! He remained intubated for 2 weeks and in the NICU for several months. Kaitlin made the trip from her home to MUSC every day to take care of, advocate for, and love on baby Jax. Zack made many trips and continued to work to be able to provide for his family. During these months, Jaxon fought many obstacles. Jaxon had to learn to breathe on his own and had to grow to be able to undergo his first open heart surgery. In early October 2023, Jaxon was finally ready for his first heart surgery. This surgery would allow Jaxon to survive without the IV medication to keep his heart vessel open, but it would only be a palliative operation allowing Jaxon to grow even more. Kaitlin moved in with Jaxon at this time as she was finally provided a space to sleep in the cardiac unit. Jaxon faced more obstacles through his recovery from open heart surgery. Jaxon was finally given the opportunity to eat by mouth at the end of October. With determination, Jaxon did well but was still unable to eat all meals because of his inability to coordinate swallowing or without tiring out completely. The decision to surgically place Jaxon on a G-tube was made so Jaxon could receive all of his nutrition. He remained in the hospital until Thanksgiving when he was able to finally come home for the first time! During Jaxon’s time at home, he’s had many firsts and passed many developmental milestones! Unfortunately, Jaxon is now starting to show signs that he’s ready for his next surgery. This will be a major open heart surgery requiring a TOTAL repair of his heart and augmentation of his pulmonary arteries to provide sufficient blood flow to his lungs. Jaxon’s blood flow from his heart to his lungs is very limited, and as he grows, it will continue to worsen. This surgery will be a huge milestone for Jaxon. However, we know he will require future heart surgeries as he continues to grow. Throughout all of Jaxon’s life, his mother, Kaitlin, has been unable to work and provide financially for her family as Jaxon remains a full time job. He is medically complex requiring constant care and monitoring making it impossible to delegate his 24/7 care at this time. Jaxon sees several specialists and therapists per week and is still unable to feed by mouth which further complicates his daily care. We are asking for any assistance you feel led to give- but above all, we are asking for prayers for this sweet boy! We pray that this surgery will be successful and Jaxon can return home to grow and thrive! Thank you all for your support & God bless!

The meaning of Jaxon is nothing less than perfect for this sweet boy!

Jaxon- God has been gracious.

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you, therefore, He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18