Quick update

Daddy and James arrived safely yesterday evening from Chattanooga.  Today (Sunday) we had an early birthday party for Jacob with our Maryland family, Gran, and a couple of wonderful friends - Sherrie and Sophie.  We'll post some pics tomorrow (Monday).

Jacob is doing a little better with each day.  He took a few more steps today and spent a good deal of time out and about in his wheelchair.  

Please continue to pray that he will drain sufficiently through his three tubes and drink plenty of fluid.  These tubes can become clogged with mucus and require more regular irrigation (which is uncomfortable for Jacob).  Also, we will need to begin weaning him off of some of his pain meds, soon,  but for now, he still needs them on a semi-regular basis.  

His newly revised colostomy continues to perform well - no prolapse and no dilating.  

Praise The Lord.  Let the earth hear His voice.  

Mommy and Daddy

Checking out - Praise

Praise the Lord - Jacob is climbing into his chair and he and Mommy are heading to the Children's House.

We were unable to get the X-ray done today, but do have an appointment with Dr. Sponseller in a couple of weeks. We'll get one done at that time.

May Jesus Christ be Praised.

Mommy and Daddy

Prayer request

Jacob is getting close to being released from the hospital, however, due to the leg and back issues he's been experiencing, we have ordered an x-ray. Please pray that we can get this done today, prior to him being discharged.

Thank you for faithful prayers.

Mommy and Daddy

Taking a few steps

Jacob again had a good day overall.  He was able to get out of bed and take a few steps with help.  The plan is for him to be discharged from the hospital today (Friday).  Here are a few prayer requests and praises:

1.  Praise  - we are so thankful that thus far, just about every aspect of this surgery has gone smoothly and ahead of schedule.  God has been so gracious and merciful.

2.  Pray - that we do not become presumptuous of His good favor and instead continue to come diligently and boldly before Him in prayer.

3.  Pray - for Jacob's back and legs.  There have been signs of some weakening his left leg and possible back (tethered cord) issues.

4.  Praise - if there does turn out to be leg and/or back issues, we have close access to both his orthopedic and neurological doctors/teams.

5.  Pray - for Mommy (and later Daddy) as they learn and begin the process of flushing the stents and keeping up with various steps involved in post op care.  

6.  Praise - that we have a room at the Children's House - yes, this is a repeat, but one that we are most thankful for as it puts us right next the hospital.  

7.  Praise - that he continues to eat well and his colostomy looks very good.  See below for a picture of one of God's faithful instruments (surgeon), Dr Lau.

Thank you for faithful prayers and for a God who is able to use these prayers to do more than we could ask or imagine.

Mommy and Daddy

 

Dr Lau with Jacob.  It is good to see him (Dr Lau) smile because Jacob's stoma/colostomy has definitely been a challenge over the past few years.

Wednesday's update - yoga, bingo, scrambled eggs and more

Jacob had a very good day - lots of action and never a dull moment. If things go well, he may be released from the hospital as soon as tomorrow.  Here are a bunch more pictures to give you a visual of all of the day's events.

First "real" food in about a week - a little scrambled egg action

Kiki drops by - even though Jacob no longer is able to stay on the floor where she works, we still love when she comes by for a visit.

Dr G stepped out of the OR for a few and stopped by to visit.  Jacob is here with Sophie, who had the same surgery as Jacob just a couple of days before him.

How about a little bingo in bed?

Dr. Dicarlo, a member of Dr G's ped urology team, also stepped out of the OR for a few to check on Jacob.  He provided her with the complete Angry Birds story.

How about a little yoga?  Jacob changed up his pain meds and seems to feel more like moving and shaking now.

To help Jacob gets his lungs back up to speed, the nurses had Jim blow on this glove.  Jacob seized the moment and decided that this was his very own miniature inflatable.  Watch as it slowly inflates, just like Frosty and the Turkey.  

Love having clean teeth.  

Capping off the continence stoma with nurse Laura - preparing for the next phase in recovery and moving closer to eventually using the catheter only.

Thank you for your prayers.  As you pray, we ask that you also remember to thank Him for his grace and mercy - new every morning.

Mommy and Daddy

Bath time with Jen

Jacob getting his first water bath since he is feeling much better. 

Beautiful smiles

We love our nurses....thank you Liz for taking care of him.