Mitchell family battling through child's severe medical conditions - Daily Republic
In his first week of life, medical personnel told Brakke and her husband, Sheldon, that MarcJon — better known as MJ — wouldn't live to experience life outside Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. He has seven seizure disorders, epilepsy, heart conditions, cerebral palsy and infantile spasms, among other medical conditions. But on Independence Day earlier this month, he spent the day at the zoo in Sioux Falls with his mom and grandparents, then had enough vigor left to spend the evening watching the explosive light show in Mitchell. "They're always very abrasive in the way they tell you things, because they can't tell you it will be all rose petals and rainbows, and it was a lot to digest," Brakke said. "I think that was the hardest thing for me to hear — sitting in the Women's Center knowing that we might not take this perfect little thing home with us. It was overwhelming. That day came, marking the first of MJ's three brain surgeries — one of eight to date. "I think one of the best days was when his oxygen and apnea monitor got discontinued and all you had to do was lift up a baby," Brakke said. "It's what people take for granted to just be able to get to pick up your baby and not have to worry about an oxygen cord getting stuck or his poor little head getting yanked around. Source: www.mitchellrepublic.com
