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...