Jackson was born July 18, 2001. We thought everything was fine until the next day when the pediatrician came in. He told us that Jackson had a heart murmur, but it was nothing to be worried about. He explained that a lot of babies had heart murmurs, but usually the parents weren't even told because it was so common.

Thank goodness another baby was born the day before in the same hospital with aortic stenosis. Our pediatrician came the next day and told us that Jackson's murmur was pretty loud and just to be sure, he was sending an echo to a doctor in a larger town, mainly because he already had to send the other baby's echo. He reiterated that it was just precautionary.

The day we were to go home, a neonatologist came in and explained that they were going to transfer Jackson to a larger hospital with the other baby. We were hysterical and didn't know what to expect. Once again we were told it was precautionary, and that they would probably send us home after being examined. We waited for hours in the waiting room, finally the cardiologist came out and said that Jackson had aortic stenosis and that he needed to have a cath and balloon done.

When Jackson was a week old, he had the cath done and it was supposedly successful. However, the next day in a follow up echo, we were told that they had gotten a balloon that was a little too big and had stretched his aortic valve too much. He now has aortic insufficiency and we are waiting for valve replacement surgery (Ross procedure).

Jackson in now eight months old and very active. His doctor appointments have shown that his heart is doing well. He is on three medications: Lasix, digoxin and captopril. We are just blessed that he has done so well. People in several surrounding states are praying for him, and we are proof that prayer works!