Another day with Jacob

Again and again we are humbled by God's gracious mercy toward us. God has been listening to all your prayers, and Jacob's life is the proof! We love Jacob so much and he is the most amazing child we have ever seen! Plus all the nurses think he is so cute! While spending time with him this evening, he opened up his eyes and looked right at me. I told him how much I love him and to keep on fighting! We have a new appreciation for the value of every single breath. We take for granted that which is such a struggle for Jacob.

Here's some pictures of him with some stuffed animals given to him by his family.

Here's a more technical/medical update...


Jacob has had his ups and downs in the NICU. One of the surgeons described him as "Livin on the Edge." That may become his theme song... He doesn't seem to like to be bothered, and all the necessary XRays, poking, and prodding that they do on him makes his numbers go down. However, once he can calm down, he seems to improve. The XRays showed today that his left lung is expanding well and they were able to see that his right lung is attached and they can see a small portion of it getting some oxygenation. This was good news! The doctors have been wanting him to stabilize on the ventilator before moving toward surgery. It looks like Friday or Saturday will be another BIG day for God to show Great Power through Jacob and the surgeons. Basically, the surgeons would move his liver into his abdomen, repair the hole in his diaphragm with a patch, and allow more space in his chest for his heart and lungs. This will also give the doctors a chance to see the amount of right lung that Jacob has. Many of the doctors that met with us prior to his birth said that Jacob would have to go on ECMO and so far, Jacob has not shown the need for ECMO. Another blessing and another way that God has responded! The doctors are saying that Jacob may still have to go on ECMO, either before or after surgery, but our prayer is that God/Jacob will continue to surprise them!!!


On another note...


Many of you have shown us great support through posting comments on the blog, sending an email, etc. But to my Cole Elementary family, I wanted to give a "shout out" to you! Every year in my class we learn how to fold paper cranes when we read the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It is a Japanese tradition to make a wish and fold cranes in hopes of seeing your wish come true. Jeff and I heard that you all gathered together to pray for us on Monday, and that many of you wrote special prayers on origami paper and learned how to fold a paper crane from one of my students...which I am sure was daunting... Here's a picture of your prayers hanging over Jacob's bed in the NICU. Many of the nurses from other areas have come to Jacob's bed to see these paper cranes/prayers. You are such special people!

Thank you for the continued prayers and support. Keep them coming!!!