Evening Update - Praise

We rejoice and praise the Lord that Jacob's fever appears to have broken as of about 11 pm this evening. He started to shiver a bit and we weren't sure what might be causing it. The nurse came in and checked his temp. It is right at 98.6 degrees when it had been running between 100 and 101 degrees post-surgery. This is definitely a blessing and hopefully will allow Jacob to get some much needed rest as we prepare for the PICC line procedure tomorrow morning - - Daddy BA

Afternoon update - the day after surgery

Jacob is resting, but is awake and watching one of his "God Made Me" videos. He has said "Mamma" and "Dadda" and also asked for his "bay-bay" (pacifier). He sometimes reaches his arms and hands up toward us, wanting to be picked up. This is one of the tougher things on us as parents, because he looks at us as if to say, "Why can't you just pick me up? That's what you've always done before when I needed it." And we do long for the day when we can pick him up again, but not being able to explain to him why we can't right now is certainly hard. He continues to be pretty sedated with pain meds and seems somewhat comfortable, all things considered. This has, in large part, been due to the wonderful care provided by his two main nurses, Ashley and Allison.

He will be having a PICC line inserted tomorrow morning at 9:00 am to help him receive his necessary meds and fluids. This line is a stronger than a standard IV as it runs into one of his main veins. Getting standard IV's to stay in Jacob have always been a challenge and so the PICC line will hopefully help provide a long term solution. We are thankful that one of the IV nurses was able to find a place in one of his hands that would still accept a standard IV. We will continue to keep the scalp IV (put in last night) ready as a back up in case the one in his hand comes out prior to tomorrow's procedure.

One of the orthopedic attending doctors came in today and discussed our other main area of concern, that being his right foot. So far, we've seen some movement in his upper leg, but nothing in his foot. We hope to see the orthopedic surgeon later this evening to discuss this further. Please pray for Jacob's procedure tomorrow morning, as it will involve him again being sedated while the line is inserted. Also, please continue to uphold Jacob's right foot and pray that God will restore movement to this area according to His good timing. Lastly, please pray for Jacob's older brother, James. He is able to come and visit his mommy and daddy periodically, but wishes he could be with us all of the time. It is tough on us as parents when we are not able to give him the attention he desires and needs. He is in good hands, though, with his Gran, Pappa, Uncle Ron, Aunt RoRo and cousins Ronnie and Joshua.

Pictures before and after Jacob's surgery

Daddy, mommy and Jacob waiting in the Pre OP room

Mommy all dressed and ready to take Jacob back to the OR

James came to wait with us during Jacob's surgery

James waiting to go in the recovery room to make sure his brother is o.k.

Jacob just out of surgery

Jacob's legs in traction

The weights for traction

James wanted to touch his little brother and make sure he is ok

Right leg in traction

Jacob has to keep his arms in "No-No's" and the IV in his head wrapped because he likes to pull out his IV's

This morning we arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am for Jacob's surgery. At 7:30 am I was able to take Jacob back to the OR for his surgery. I held his hands while they put him to sleep and watched him nod off. I kissed his cheeks, kissed his tummy and kissed his legs before I walked out to the waiting room. Later, we had a desk call saying they had started the procedure at 8:30 am. I had told everyone before surgery, Jacob is a hard stick, so I am assuming it took almost that hour to get an IV in his little veins. At 10:30 am we had a desk call saying Jacob was stable and doing fine. At 11:18 am, here they come with Jacob to take him to recovery. We were there till 1:30 pm. While in recovery, I noticed he was flexing his left foot (club foot) and moving his toes, but he was not moving his right foot (good foot) at all. Also he had a fever and his right arm was swollen (huge). At 2:00 pm we get to our room and the nurses are concerned about his swollen arm that has the IV. They see that it is wet and not working, so at this time we are trying to find someone who can get an IV in tonight so Jacob can get his pain meds., fluids, etc...they are talking about a PICC line which he's had before, this might be in his head. Dr. S came in at 8:00pm and unwrapped Jacob's legs and loosened the screws (clamps) on his external fixater. He's concerned that he's not moving his leg so has ordered an X-ray tonight and will let us know something in the morning.


Please pray he will be able to move his right leg, pray his fever will go down and that he doesn't have an infection, and pray his breathing gets better.


In Him,

Courtney

We made it to Baltimore

We arrived Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. at Johns Hopkins Hospital for our Doctor's appointment. Dr. Sponseller (bone doctor) said Jacob looked good and he was very pleased to see him walking. The surgery is set for 7:30a.m. and we are to be there a 6:00 a.m. for prep. Dr. S advised that there are, of course, risks with any surgery, but the most probable are infections and a femoral nerve palsy (where he won't be able to straighten his leg).

The Children's House (very economical lodging located one block from the hospital) is still not available and may not be until next week. We are staying in one of the McElderry Townhomes, which are much more expensive, but still located very close to the hospital (about two blocks away). Please pray that a spot might open up in the Children's House, as it would best fit our needs throughout Jacob's stay in the hospital.

We know God is in control and has held Jacob in His loving arms since his birth, but we still covet your prayers daily.

Jacob takes his first flight to JHH

Daddy is so happy to see you and touch you for the first time.

Jacob opened one eye to check us out and see what's going on.

Mommy and Daddy hold you before you take your first flight to The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. We only got to hold you and see you for a few minutes, we wish it was longer. This was a hard day, we were sending our precious baby so far away.

Air Med nurses are getting you ready for your first flight.

God and the Angels will fly with you our baby boy. Be safe our son, daddy and mommy will be with you as soon as we can.