Analysis of how a certain literary text demonstrates the experience of someone living with heart disease: The Story of Jamie and Jackson
By Rick Liu
Abstract
At 18 weeks into her pregnancy, Jamie Dawson and her husband, Layne, learned that their son Jackson had four congenital heart anomalies. These defects are often treated through a series of open-heart surgeries performed at birth and throughout childhood; however, the procedures can lead to serious, life-altering consequences.
(Jamie and Jackson’s CHD Story, n.d.)
Discussion
Context
Upon learning of her son's condition, Jamie was devastated. She cried, prayed, and blamed herself for his congenital defects. Just as she felt she could not raise such a sick baby, she felt Jackson kick - a moment that shifted her focus and gave her strength. She began to change her outlook on life and educate herself about her son’s diagnoses, which included:
Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Tricuspid atresia
Hypoplastic right ventricle
Diagnoses and a brief insight into HD conditions
Atrial Septal Defect: birth defect which features a hole in the wall separating the heart’s upper chambers
Ventricular Septal Defect: birth defect which features a hole in the wall separating the heart’s lower chambers
Tricuspid Atresia: birth defect which prevents an important valve (the valve that lets blood move from the upper right heart chamber to the lower right chamber) from forming
Hypoplastic Right Ventricle: birth defect where the lower right chamber of the heart does not fully form/grow to normal size before birth
(Australia, 2019) (www.heart.org, 2026)
Outcome and Treatment
When Jackson was born, doctors and nurses rushed to keep him alive. An oxygen mask, larger than the baby’s head, was placed on his face. Jackson's face appeared dusky gray, and his arms and legs were deep shades of blue and purple.
Initially, Jackson was fortunate; he did not require immediate open-heart surgery and instead underwent a less invasive procedure. He was able to go home a week later. However, his skin remained slightly blue, and his low oxygen levels required frequent trips to the emergency room and overnight stays in the intensive care unit. To manage his oxygen levels, he used a pulse oximeter - a small device with a red light that clips onto a finger or toe.
During Jackson’s first year, Jamie continued to blame herself for his heart defects, sinking into a "very dark place." She rarely slept, and negative thoughts consumed her as she searched for answers about what had caused his condition.
Before Jackson turned two, his skin grew noticeably bluer, and his pulse oximeter readings began dropping into the high 70s - the danger zone being 75%. At his next checkup, his reading was 77%, prompting his third open-heart surgery. After the procedure, Jackson’s skin turned pink, and his oxygen monitor read 97%.
Over the next nine years and three major heart surgeries, Jackson's heart function peaked at around 60%. In addition to his heart conditions, he developed ADHD, anxiety, and depression - common comorbidities among those living with congenital heart disease. He was later diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, a late-stage condition in which healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, impairing blood flow. This developed when his heart could no longer pump enough oxygenated blood to his organs.
Throughout his schooling, Jackson also showed signs of developing arrhythmia. Yet, with careful monitoring and a deeper understanding of his condition, each setback revealed his growing resilience.
(Jamie and Jackson’s CHD Story, n.d.)
Conclusion
Consequences and Final Thoughts
A month later, Jamie was pregnant with another boy. Her newfound coping skills were tested once again, as doctors suspected that this child also had heart problems, though different from Jackson's. A year later, Jamie visited a new primary care doctor who offered a diagnosis she had never considered: post-traumatic stress disorder. The diagnosis brought her some relief, and she began attending therapy.
While being realistic about their older son’s future, knowing that new health issues may arise and old ones may not improve, the family remains optimistic that ongoing research into congenital heart defects will lead to better outcomes. This hope is also why raising awareness through sharing their story is so important; it is not just a narrative to tell, but a life we can all empathize with.
Congenital heart diseases do not only profoundly affect the affected child but also their relatives and loved ones. While it is tragic that some children are born with these conditions, leaving families deeply worried, together as a community we can spread awareness and work toward better outcomes for everyone.
(Jamie and Jackson’s CHD Story, n.d.)
References:
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/chd-personal-stories/jackson-dawson
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/congenital-heart-disease
