Archway Lincoln Teacher Recalls Her Son’s Heart Transplant

Paula Beal, a fourth-grade teacher at Archway Lincoln, said her son was born with a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. Jayken Beal’s remarkable story is marked by resilience and perseverance in the face of debilitating health challenges. According to his mother, he underwent three open-heart surgeries by the age of two, the first of which when he was only four days old.

Paula recalls the initial shock of Jayken’s diagnosis and the subsequent rollercoaster of emotions as they navigated his complex medical needs. “Before he was born, they were able to find out about his heart and I think that news was incredibly difficult – incredibly hard to hear,” she said. “But then hearing news that there’s a possibility of him being able to survive was amazing.”

Despite the limitations imposed by his condition, Jayken defied the odds and lived a relatively normal life. “He did have some limitations on activities, but he was able to survive with only the right side of his heart, which is actually the weakest side,” said Paula. As he grew older, it became increasingly hard for him to be told he couldn’t play sports, or run around, or even help with lifting things around the house.

At 15, Jayken experienced a significant growth spurt, which put undue strain on his already compromised heart. “With having the heart I had, it had to work really hard. It started going into overdrive and it kind of hit a spot where it just didn’t know how to stop,” explained Jayken.

Suddenly, the organ that had sustained him for years began to fail. The Beal family had to face the devastating news and yet another medical challenge as they grappled with the reality of Jayken’s deteriorating health.

After exhausting all other options, including medication and medical devices, the Beals confronted the daunting prospect of a heart transplant. Initially hesitant due to the risks involved, they eventually placed Jayken on the transplant waiting list at the age of 16, hoping for a suitable donor at Phoenix Children’s hospital. “So essentially what that meant was I would have to wait until someone around my age within a year or so passed away with a heart still in good shape and then that heart would get flown over here and it would be transplanted into me,” he explained.

The wait for a compatible heart was agonizing, filled with uncertainty and dashed hopes. Despite setbacks, including a heart that proved unsuitable for transplantation, the Beals remained resilient, holding onto hope for Jayken’s future.

Finally, after weeks of waiting, a suitable donor heart became available. Jayken underwent the intricate procedure with cautious optimism, still mindful of the previous disappointment. This time, however, the transplant was a success, breathing new life into Jayken and restoring his vitality.

Post-transplant, Jayken’s life has undergone a remarkable transformation. Freed from the constraints of his previous condition, he now enjoys newfound freedoms, including regular exercise and physical activities previously deemed off-limits. “I’m going to the gym pretty frequently. I’m going on runs. I’m doing pretty much whatever I want,” he said. Now a senior at Grand Canyon University, he mentioned that as a transplant recipient, one restriction he still faces is avoiding grapefruits and certain citrus fruits. He remarked that it hasn’t been particularly challenging to adhere to.

Today, six years after his life-saving transplant, Jayken Beal and his mother can look back at their past challenges with unwavering hope for Jayken’s future after graduation. They both know first-hand what it takes to face adversity with courage and determination. As a teacher, Mrs. Beal can recall all the support that her family received through it all, which serves as a reminder of the impact a strong school community can make, through which even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.

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