Follow the journey...

Friends -

Many of you have emailed, curious about how the Jackson's are doing as Kari returned home from the hospital. Though we won't be updating this blog as often, we invite you to follow the Jackson's journey by clicking the "Josh's Blog" link to the right. Josh has begun to blog about their experiences, grief, and healing there. We encourage you to continue supporting the Jacksons - via notes, cards, emails, or donations - as their need is still great and their healing is just beginning.

Thank you for your support and love of our friends as they've walked through this tragedy.

- Friends of the Jacksons

"There's a lesson in the rain that change will always come
let us ride this wave and then greet the sun
and though the ground may shake and we'll think we've had enough
we must raise our flags for the ones we love." - Peter Bradley Adams "Keep Us"

Update from Josh - April 6th

After 14 blood transfusions, 13 hospital bed nights - 5 of those in ICU - 7 days of extreme nausea, scales tipping over 180 lbs, elephant feet, 6 days of oxygen, 4 sessions of dialysis, 4 enimas, one catheter sticking out of my neck like a finger, one bruised abdomen, one c section...we are going HOME.

So much to be grateful for. So must lost.

Update: Tuesday, April 5th

Kidney update: Blood work this morning shows her kidneys are recovering. If the labs tomorrow show more improvement, her catheter will be removed and we'll be sent home!! We are celebrating this victory! Kari's body has lost 26 pounds of fluid in the last 48 hours. More updates tomorrow. Thanks for ALL the support.

Update Monday, April 3rd from Dennis & Gwen

Continued good news on the reports for Kari:

• The numbers have been up and down a bit on Kari's kidneys but there is definite forward progress (2 out of the past 3 days, the numbers have lowered!)
• Kari and Josh are both encouraged with the progress but realize that this may be a long-haul back to full health.
• Good rest for both Kari and Josh.
• Stella has been so responsive and flexible with all of the changes and missing her mom & dad - she gets to visit them every evening.

Some General Updates:

• Since Kari is still in the hospital, there have been no plans made for a memorial service for Margot June.
• We hope that it will be soon that Kari is released - would be great to have the kidneys functioning in a way that would not require additional dialysis after leaving the hospital.
• Both Gwen and Patty will be staying additional time to care for the needs of Kari, Josh and Stella.
• John flies to Chicago and home on Monday. Dennis flies back to Budapest on Tuesday/Wednesday.
• The outpouring of prayer and care continues to grow around the world - amazing to all of us.

Thanks again for all of your support in so many ways.

In H+S Love,
Dennis & Gwen

Due Date

Friends,

Today was Margot's original due date. An especially difficult day of grieving and remembering and reflecting on what was to be and what now will be... your supportive thoughts and generous gifts are especially kind today.

Thank you for the love you've showed the Jackson's thus far.

- Friends of the Jacksons

Update Sat. April 2nd

Kari is feeling stronger and healthier today. Third dialysis yesterday went well. It takes 7 pounds off her body each time, so it's a big relief from the swelling. Hoping to be out of the hospital next week and buckling down for more dialysis while we wait patiently for these kidneys to heal. Thanks to everyone for ALL the support. We are drinking it all in, one day a time.

Update Friday April 1st

After good kidney numbers yesterday, they went in the wrong direction again this morning. The good news is her urine output is really high, which is what the kidney specialist was more concerned about anyway. Kari is starting to eat again and feeling less nausea so those are positive signs. Trying to remain patient for these kidneys to recover...

Peace - from Josh's blog

Support the Jacksons

Your comments, kind words, and support via facebook, phone, and email have meant the world to Josh & Kari. With Kari's condition still unstable the Jackson's will have the added expenses of lost time at work. As friends of Josh & Kari, we'd like to rally around them and offer support. Here are some ways you can help:

• Send cards to The Jacksons, c/o Brooke Kind. 778 Santa Barbara St. Pasadena, CA 91101
• Send restaurant or grocery store giftcards via the same address. The Jackson's try to eat healthy, organic foods. Giftcards to Whole Foods or Trader's Joes would be hugely helpful.
• Take-out from the Jackson's favorite restaurants would be another great idea. You can visit any of the following restaurant's websites and purchase a gift card towards a dinner after Kari comes home from the hospital.

1. http://www.daisymint.com/ 
2. http://www.thekitchenpasadena.com/ 
3. http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/Default.aspx 
4. http://www.thehat.com/ 
5. http://www.kokosmediterraneancafe.com/

• Financial donations can be sent by check to the above address as well. Click here to donate OR use the Donate button at the top right of this page to donate securely with any major credit card via Paypal.
• If you have any questions about ways you can serve and donate to the Jacksons feel free to contact Brooke Kind at dombek01@hotmail.com.

Update Wed. March 30th

AM Update: Kari's kidneys continue to worsen. Dialysis will happen again today. We need those toxins cleaned out of her body and some more fluids to be removed. She was throwing up this morning and is feeling sicker. We are scared and discouraged. Thanks for all the love and support, in whatever form it is shown.

NOON Update: After our roughest morning yet, dialysis number two is starting now. The blood flows out, then in. Head Doctor told a desperate, tear filled Kari that she "dodged a serious bullet." Said every time he sees her, he can't help but feel happy. Two important bowel movements out of the way. Kari's dialysis music request: Tom Petty.

Giving Update

We've switched to using Giving Anonymously for donations to Josh & Kari. This process allows you to give anonymously (or with your name attached). Please let Paul know if there are any difficulties with the donation process at pauldkind@hotmail.com.

Kari's parents are keeping updates through their church website as well. You'll see a link to the right. Please continue to think strong thoughts for Kari as she goes into dialysis again today.

Update Monday, March 28

The numbers on Kari Jackson's kidneys keep going the wrong way. Specialist thinks it's just a matter of time (days, weeks or even months), so we just need to keep waiting. No dialysis today. She got lots of good sleep last night. Her milk is coming in now...the grieving continues another day...

Dialysis Update

Update: Dialysis has been going for an hour. Already taken 3lbs of fluid from her body. Probably another 3 in the next hour. After this we wait for 24 hours to see if the kidney responds and then go from there. We are hoping it takes less than a week for treatments.

Updates Thus Far

Josh has been texting and posting Facebook updates since Kari was first admitted to the hospital. Those updates are compiled here:

Hospital update PART 1 for those who haven't heard: Yesterday around 5pm Kari Jackson fell hard on her belly. We rushed to the hospital for an emergency c-section. Our little girl, Margot June, was stillborn as a result of the fall. At 38 weeks, she weighed 7lbs 11ounces and measured 22 inches.

PART 2: Kari then went into critical condition with massive blood loss from the rupture to the placenta. After a blood transfusion and other blood sources, she is now stabilized for the most part and has turned a corner. We were able to spend 12 hours with our beautiful Margot before we said goodbye this morning at 3:30am. Thanks for all your support...

Hospital update: Kari's kidneys continue to worsen, which lends to her body swelling because of little to no urination. We are seeing a specialist in the next few hours and she will go over our options. Her blood levels are good and the overall pain in subsiding. We appreciate all the love and kindness that has been pouring in.

Kidney update: A chest x-ray determined there wasn't fluid building up in her lungs, so that probably means there won't be any dialysis for today. Her kidneys continue to fail, so we need those to recover. the specialist seemed optimistic with kari's age and health that her kidneys would recover. Our much needed inner circle is taking good care of us and stella. We are blessed beyond measure

Kari starts dialysis today because her kidneys are still down. The specialist said with her age and health it may only take 1-2 times before the kidney cells regenerate and it returns to normal. This is what we are hoping for. In the meantime, the dialysis will decrease the massive swelling and clean out her blood. Thanks for your continued support...

Updates from Josh & Kari's Parents March 28

Posted 3-28-11 at 4:15pm

Kari is having a bad day. She is having trouble talking and focusing. She is also weak and not able to stay awake. John doesn't know if this is physical or emotional. Her kidney counts are not good and she will have dialysis again on Tuesday. Please continue to keep Kari in your prayers for God’s healing and for the rest of the family to have strength and peace.

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Posted 3-28-11 at 11:15am

Update from Josh's father Dennis:
Yesterday was a better day for Kari & Josh.

• Kari is off pain medication for the most part.
• She had dialysis on Sunday afternoon which relieved 3.5 liters of fluid - a big relief.
• She felt better overall.
• They had some good time together, grieving, sharing gratitude for all of the care & prayer they are receiving, facing with great pain the realities of the days ahead.
• Josh got home for some time with Stella - who by the way is doing well with all the grandparents enjoying her.
• Kari slept very well last night - 10:30pm to 7:00 am. Very much needed.

Unfortunately, her kidney counts are actually worse again this morning (which has been the continuing pattern) and her kidney's are not yet functioning. All reports of the experts are that her kidneys will regain function because of her age and good overall health, but this is obviously very discouraging. Please pray for the re-start of her kidneys - this is the only thing holding her back from returning home.

A reality that we are all facing off with is preparing for some type of memorial time for Margot. The process and paperwork begins in a few hours and the best ideal would be that Kari would be released from the hospital by the weekend and the time together is Saturday or Sunday before John & Patty (Kari's parents) scheduled departure on Monday and Dennis' scheduled departure on Tuesday. Kari's health and kidney function is still the highest priority, but this time happening with all of us would be so significant. Please add this to the items being prayed for - thanks.

Again let us say thanks for all of your prayers and expressions of love and care. We heard of story after story of whole churches and small groups and teams and 100's of individuals who have been crying out to God for our kids . . . it's impossible to express our thanks to God for you.

With So Much Love,

Dennis and Gwen

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Posted 3-27-11 at 3:20pm

Kari is beginning dialysis today. This is an emotional time for Kari so please pray for peace for her as well as the family members.

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Posted 3-26-11 at 3:15pm

Kari’s kidneys are worse. At this time there is no kidney disease. She is not on dialysis as of yet but if the kidney’s don’t respond then dialysis will be the next step. The families can feel your prayer support and appreciate all of your love and kindness.

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Posted 3-26-11 at 3:00pm

Dear Friends,

Pastors John & Patty Bray desperately need for you to pray for their daughter. Kari Jackson slipped and fell Thursday night at home (Los Angeles). After rushed to the hospital, being 8.5 months pregnant, had an emergency c-section. The baby, a girl they named Margot June, was stillborn. Kari was in ICU in critical condition as her blood was not clotting and she continued to bleed. After hours and hours of the doctors working on her, Kari's blood began to clot. We thank our Lord for touching her body as they nearly lost her, too.

Since then, Kari's kidneys have stopped functioning. Please lift Kari up to our Divine Healer, the Lord Jesus Christ, and pray that He would touch her body and bring her to complete health. Please pray that her kidneys would begin to function very, very soon. Kari is the mother of 2 year old Stella, and is married to Josh.

The Brays & Jacksons would truly covet your prayer support.