Surprise for Jacob and everyone else

               Going for our first ride with Mary Beth

Jacob has a remote that turns his inflatables off and on.

               This is so easy for him...no moving.

The children and nurses love our inflatable thanksgiving turkey.

The best thing I have ever seen was the smiles on their faces.

Thank you everyone.

Praise - we have movement

As of about 20 minutes ago, Jacob began having some gas in his colostomy bag.  It appears that the awakening is underway.

We are getting ready to put him in a chair for a little while and perhaps take him to the play room.

We also have the Thanksgiving turkey inflatable ready to go.  Pics to follow a little later.

Praise The Lord.

Mommy and Daddy

Monday morning rounds

Jacob had another decent night of rest.  His bowels are still sleeping, but there does appear to be a little bit of gurgling going on inside.  Both the Urology and General Ped surgery teams came by this morning to check on Jacob.  Everything looked good and they will again try to get him some chair time today.  Dr G also came in to get an update from the docs that were here over the weekend.  Jacob is still reluctant to talk, but did surprise us with a few words early this morning.  Please continue to pray for overall healing, especially at the incision site and with all of the internal plumbing.  Please pray that his colostomy will return to normal - not prolapsed anymore but not so tight that it requires dilating.  Please also pray that the SP tube and stents will continue to work correctly and that we can soon begin the process of training to use the catheter.  The pain management side of things continues to go well - a definite praise.  

On a separate note, we had a visit from Pastor Rick Cash, who has followed Jacob pretty much since birth.  Rick is the senior pastor at Valley Baptist Church, where Uncle Ron, Aunt RoRo and their family are members.  We've been able to worship with them there several times over the years and they, along with many other churches, have faithfully prayed for Jacob since birth.  We always enjoy his visits and time of prayer with us.  And we may be able to see him more  frequently as he is currently in chaplaincy training, here at Hopkins, on part time basis.  

Despite the many challenges associated with a long stay in the hospital, God continues to use these stays as an opportunity for us to share Him with others.  We have already met several new families from various parts of the country.  In addition, we also encounter different nurses, doctors and hospital staff each day, with whom we try to share Jacob's story and all that The Lord has done.  Mommy, in particular, does a great job of boldy proclaiming His word of truth with everyone she encounters.  So many have been amazed at the story of how God provided us with a van (we continue to be in awe, too).  But what a powerful testimony of His grace and mercy, demonstrated through one of his childen.  

We are reminded that, despite our weaknesses and the effects of our sin, God's Word will go forth and will not return void.  It will accomplish all that He intends (Is. 55:11).

May God grant us the strength to share His good news, through our words and actions, for His glory.

Mommy and Daddy

Jacob communicating

Jacob is sitting up in a chair, which is great, but he is reluctant to talk (hard to believe, we know).  So, one of the nurses came up with a great idea - let him write things down.  We asks him how he was feeling and he wrote the following:

Mommy and Daddy

Jacob loves Frosty

We brought one of Jacobs favorite inflatables, Frosty the Snowman, and set him up right beside Jacob's bed.  As soon as he saw it, he reached out to touch his foot. He also has a Thanksgiving turkey inflatable, but sadly it is too big for our hospital room.

Sunday prayer and praise

Jacob had another decent night of rest.  For that we are most thankful.  

We do have a couple of prayer requests to share.  

First, please continue to pray that Jacob's bowels and digestive system will "wake up" so that he can begin eating and drinking.  Second, he has started to develop some upper respiratory congestion, likely from being in a reclining position for several days.  Please pray that we will be able to keep things moving to avoid anything more serious.  The nurses are planning to get him up and put him in a chair again shortly.  He is reluctant to talk or move much, we think because of all of the tubes.  We do pray that he can start to work on his mobility more.  Lastly, please continue to pray for James and those who are caring for him.  We are incredibly thankful that he is in good hands with family, but we do miss seeing him.  With all of the pain meds and general rest needed, Jacob has not yet been up for visitors - but we know there are several friends and family who are eager to see him.

Praise The Lord - let the earth hear His voice.  

Mommy and Daddy

P.S. - we think we've figured out the best (easiest) way to post pics using a tablet - our apologies for not getting as many pics on before now.

Jacob is resting with his favorite teddy bear, Stuffy.  

Onward and upward

We just left the 4th floor PICU a short time ago and have settled into our new room on the 10th floor.  There is an incredible view of downtown Baltimore from here, looking out toward the Chesapeake Bay.

Jacob had a pretty good day today - other than a few challenges with the NG tube.

Pain management continues to go well.  His bowls/colon are still asleep, so only IV fluids until they wake up.   The general surgery team came around and checked out his colostomy.   They seemed pleased with the progress thus far.

Good night, everyone.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Mommy and Daddy