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