His mom didn’t hesitate.
She performed CPR. Not once. Not twice. Four times — as her baby boy’s tiny body went into a full-body seizure.
That moment changed everything for this Texas family.
Today, they finally have answers.
And they are devastating.
Jackson has been diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation of the WT-1 gene — with fewer than 400 documented cases worldwide since it was first identified in 1967. The diagnosis carries a 90% risk of kidney cancer, causes complete kidney failure in early childhood, and leaves transplant as the only lifesaving option.
They were given one precious gift:
One month at home.
One month of “normal.”
Then the swelling began.
Fluid built up so severely Jackson could barely open his eyes. His belly became tight and distended. His clothes no longer fit. His body was saying what no parent is ever prepared to hear.
Jackson has now entered end-stage renal failure.
He’s back in Fort Worth — for the foreseeable future.
Yesterday, surgeons placed:
• a hemodialysis line
• a peritoneal dialysis line
• a feeding tube
It took hours to stabilize him. He’s been on oxygen. Closely monitored. Watched carefully for infection.
But there is hope.
After just one hour of dialysis, his lab values improved. The swelling began to ease. His little body responded.
In the weeks ahead, geneticists and oncologists will monitor closely for kidney cancer while beginning the process of getting Jackson on a transplant list.
Six weeks ago, we were praying he would survive a seizure.
Now we are praying for a kidney.
For protection from cancer.
For time.
His family has asked if we could keep Jax on our prayer list.
And if you could say one thing to his parents — one piece of advice, one message of hope — what would you share?
