Last night was rough for little Jacob; he kept fighting the ventilator and couldn't relax enough to let his small lungs operate efficiently. They moved him from his left side to his tummy, thinking that would help some of the pressure, but instead it aggitated him more. He definately doesn't like to be messed with. Early in the morning Jeff went over there as they moved him back to his left side, and Jeff said immediately Jacob relaxed and his numbers improved.
The doctors and surgeons came by and talked with Jeff. They are going to move ahead with surgery tomorrow morning at 7 AM for Jacob. The amazing part of this whole process is that they are going to turn his room in the NICU into an operating room. They close off the section of the NICU, scrub everything down, and allow for Jacob to remain in his room while they perform surgery. They bring the OR to him...amazing really. A couple of the doctors made a point of telling Jeff that they specifically chose Jacob's room in the NICU (which is larger and easy to access) because of this possibility.
The surgery would move his liver to his abdomen and then repair the hole in his diaphragm with a gortex like patch. They would also insert a tube into that empty space to drain any excess liquids that may build up after surgery. Then it's a waiting game to see what his right lung is capable of...
For those praying...Jeff and I would like to ask once more for a little extra, especially since it will be a BIG, and possibly LONG day for us and Jacob. We are only here by God's gracious hand and he has listened to our and your requests for a miracle.
Two children, two different experiences, and one beautiful story! God gave us two miracles.
thank you so much for updating. several of my friends are praying for you and him. God is still capable of the biggest most tiny miracles...if that makes sense!
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for Jacob and thank God for all the miraculous things He has done so far and will conintue to do. Jacob has become quite the celebrity, so many people are praying for him. We are excited to see the plans the Lord has for this special little baby boy ! Try to get some rest. Thank you for sharing your news.
ReplyDeleteJeff, Julie AND Jacob...You have been in my thoughts and prayers so much these past few days. I will continue to lift your names to the Father tonight and throughout tomorrow. I praise Him for what He has already done...God is gracious! I will also pray for peace and rest for all of you tonight. Love and blessings to you all...
ReplyDeleteI pray, our All Mighty and Compassionate Father, for you to continue the miracle of giving sweet Jacob life. Like his namesake, he is a fighter; so please continue to give him strength, life and a destiny in this world. I pray also for supernatural endurance for Jeff and Julie to bear up under all of this and for you to continue to enable them to be the incredible witnesses they are of your glory. We entrust this family who is so dear to us to your never failing love and care, knowing that you will do for them far more than we can desire or pray for. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, together One God, now and forever. Amen.
ReplyDelete- Dean
Continuously in our prayers...
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with your family every day, and especially tomorrow morning. Sending you love and support.
ReplyDeleteSteph
I will be praying for Jacob and will pass along the request. Thanks for keeping everyone posted and listing specific request.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for His peace to surround your family, for our Lord to guide the surgeons 'hand and for Him to heal your son!
ReplyDeletejulie and jeff and little jacob,
ReplyDeleteyou are in our prayers this evening and will be all day tomorrow. we love you three and may God be with you in these coming hours.
Love,
Ryan & Jeremy
Jacob is a fighter, you are amazing and trusting parents, and God has placed you in wonderful hands at Vanderbilt. I am praying that God will guide the surgeons, give you peace and endurance, and that Jacob will prove that he is a true MIRACLE from God! We love you guys!
ReplyDeletewe are praying praying praying. God is so good. I love your passion and strength that God keeps giving you, Jeff, and Jacob.
ReplyDeleteFound you through Jenny. Praying...
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm a friend of Jennifer & David Rizkalla and just wanted you to know how touched I am by your story. Thank you for sharing your journey. What an inspiration you are. I stand (in Austin, TX) with you in prayer, eagerly waiting for and expecting your miracle.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for Jacob. Power of prayer is awesome. So happy for the improvements that Jacob has made. He is a fighter. Your Faith is wonderful. We pray daily for Jacob and you. Tonight we will pray for the surgery to go well tomorrow. God Bless. Sending prayers and Love your way.
ReplyDeleteSylvia Ortiz & Family from Rockdale, Texas
Julie and Jeff-
ReplyDeleteI was just recently made aware of your family's journey. Jenny (Reynolds)Tuley is my niece. I KNOW that our God works miracles, and no matter what,He is holding your precious family in His hands.
Praying for you-
Nancy McLean
I am a friend of Kristy Mallory. Your story of faith and strength is amazing!! I have been and will be praying for Jacob, the doctors, nurses, both of you and your family!!!
ReplyDeleteOur God is an awesome God!!!!
We will continue praying. God is not out of the miracle business. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing little boy Jacob is and what an amazing God we have. I will be praying for your family during this long and emotional day for you all.
ReplyDeleteHey guys. It's Loren Lacroix Junot, your favorite girl cousin on the Ehlers side....okay, your only. Mom and I just want you to know what amazing strength you have and what a beautiful baby boy Jacob is. All our prayers are with you. We have been keeping in touch with Skip and the rest of the family, and if there is anything we can do in Louisiana, let us know. We love, the Lacroix Gang
ReplyDeleteI just heard about your story from a friend. Know that our household is praying for you.
ReplyDeletePrentice & Christy Tyndall
Kinston, North Carolina
My prayers are with you both as you walk this journey with your son.
ReplyDeleteJeff & Julie,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you. As a survivor of a horrific auto accident on Sept 20, I know the power of a loving and gracious God. I share with you word that a nurse shared with me during my recovery: God to too righteous not to do good, and too wise not to do what is right. I am believing with you for God's grace and provision to be manifest in your son's life,
Pastor Ray
Jeff, Julie and beautiful Jacob,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift from God, your son Jacob. I want you to know, that God continues to perform miracles even to this day. My daughter was given hours to live and she will turn 18 tomorrow. God is so powerful. The road will be hard but HE is with you each step of the way guiding you, continue to let God be your guide and trust HIM in all things - especially the little stuff. I am praying for strength for each of you.
Love in Christ,
SouthernDrawl ( Coni Caudle - Nashville, TN)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the two of you today, the doctors and little Jacob. We are praying for this miracle to continue!
ReplyDeleteI am continuing to pray for Jacob, as well as for you and Jeff. I know God is testing your faith, and it amazes me how great your faith is during such a tough time! God has been good, and I know He will continue to take care of you!!
ReplyDeleteI heard of Jacob thru Sheri as our daughters dance together. We are continuing to pray for your family. Keep the faith..............God is an awesome God.
ReplyDeleteFran
Jeff and Julie,
ReplyDeleteI am in continuous prayer for Jacob and his medical team. And, for you, Mommma and Daddy.
Mighty God, we praise You for being the Giver of every good and perfect gift...for being the Creator and Lifegiver of Jacob.
Jacob...just know you have the Titans have nothin' on you! You have the biggest cheering and praying section ever! Go, Jacob! Praise God!
Much Love,
Miss Suzanne
Been thinking about you guys all day and praying.
ReplyDeleteAll of World Christian Broadcasting is praying for Jacob's surgery and his healing, and for the two of you to have strength for the days ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteJeff, Julie, and Jacob,
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this blog for the first time with tears in my eyes, hope in my heart, and praying all the while. What a blessing little Jacob is. I'm praying that you all will have a wonderful story to tell when this is all over. God answers prayers!
In Christian Love,
Josh, Lori, & Weston Willeford
Praying for you guys Julie! Our whole staff at school gathered and prayed over your little guy!
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys! Our whole staff prayed for your little guy this morning!
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with all of you! TJ was the same way and didn't want to be touched or his lungs needed to be suctioned to improve his #'s. I know from our experience that not being able to hold our baby was a tough thing. Who could imagine it caused neg. stress. So in place we would sing...and we now have a family song you are my sunshine my only sunshine... please don't take my sunshine away... As I have been in prayer this week another song keeps coming up and Jaycee Mae ususally joins me My God is so big so strong and so MIGHTY THERE's NOTHING MY GOD CAN NOT DO...for you! There is a great book by Emiley Barnes called Fill my Cup Lord... I would often pray as I was struggling with TJ's birth my cup is OVERFLOWING and is now pouring out on the floor. I often wonder is God waiting sometimes for us to wave the white flag to truely turn things over to him. (Which we all know you have done from the very beginning.) Remember TJ was born 31wks 2 lbs 7 1/2 oz and 14" long fast forward and he is now 5'9" weighs 230 lbs and is on the football & swim team at Bloomington Christian. I know GOD is NOT FINISHED with him yet and I remind him of this often. Give a group hug to everyone including the gparents and this is from CA! We love each one of you!!! JanAnnette
ReplyDeleteOur hearts continue to be with you all, especially as Jacob endures his surgery & faces recovery. We pray that God gives you the emotional strength and Jacob the physical strength to get through this. You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. What a miracle you are witnessing to us! Thank you God!
ReplyDeleteJessica Cook
Jeff, Julie and Baby Jacob,
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you. As one who has experienced the very best of God's blessings in her life,I pray those blessings for you.I am Pastor Ray's wife and Matt's mom. I share the words of one of the healing saints in the Trama Unit at Vanderbilt..."Slow is good and fast doesn't last." Hold on to those words as you experience God's healing hand on you little Jacob. God's timing is not the same as ours. He is so much wiser and know what needs to be done and when. P.R.and I have experienced God's wisdom,grace and healing in our lives. Rest assured, you will too! Our love and prayers are with you. God Bless
You don't know me, but I'm sure praying for your whole family. I'm so glad you get to have these days with your baby despite them being rough. You are in my thoughts, Andrea
ReplyDeleteJulie! I bookmarked the blog wrong so I didn't realize there were all these updates but I've been keeping up with you through some of the BC girls. Chris and I just finished reading your posts and we just want to come and find you and put our arms around you. That NICU...what a rollercoaster ride. Thankfully, God is riding right beside us. Blessings to all of you! Jacob is covered in prayer.
ReplyDeleteWe're continuing to pray for Jacob and you both. Hope to hear positive reports from the NICU turned OR, and celebrate another miracle for Jacob! Praying for wisdom and peace for you guys and strength and healing for sweet, handsome Jacob.
ReplyDeleteLove to you both,
David and Jennifer
Jacob is a beautiful, strong little guy! I'm praying fervently for him and for you. I know the strain of time spent in the NICU; it is precious but difficult. My own little guy worked against his ventilator too---he's strong and robust now, and early showed that fighting spirit that Jacob also has. I have every confidence that God will work through his little life and your family. He already is. I pray for His peace and strength for you all, for compassion and expertise in those who care for Jacob, and for His ultimate healing for little Jacob. Bless you all and thank you for sharing your story. The peace of God, which passes all understanding, be with you.
ReplyDeleteI just learned about Jacob from a friend in Ohio - Sam Young. This old guy in south Louisiana has prayed this morning for Jacob and will continue to do so.
ReplyDeletePaul
Mary Margaret and I have been praying for you and Jacob. We remember too well those anxious times 18 years ago when we sat with our grandson Sam and cheered every time the oxygen sats would go up even a single point. Thank you for being such loving and faithful parents.
ReplyDeletePhillip Morrison