Saturday, August 2, 2008

Our Great Grandchild's Journey - Jacob

Our great grandchild, Jacob, was born nine weeks premature in July of 2005. He weighed 2 pounds 14 ounces. However, his kidneys weren't working and he was sent home on Hospice with only a few weeks to live.

This is Jacob holding onto my finger with his tiny hand while he was still in the NIC Unit at Children's Hospital. Here is the poem his parents wrote about him.

So gently and using the greatest of care,
I started life with my own special flare.
Whether one eye is open or both are closed tight,
Many hearts I have stolen while fighting my fight.
I may be wee but mighty am I.
Yet way too soon I'll be saying goodbye.
I'm loved by many, I'd stay if I could.
My kidneys aren't perfect, don't work like they should.
Please don't lose faith, you know I am strong.
I'm in a great family, that's where I belong.

At home, he was held and loved and a network of people all over the world heard about him and started praying for him. The weeks passed, and Jacob was still here and actually was growing. The doctors were amazed!
I think he was about 6 weeks old in this picture with my husband and me.
As time passed, the doctors said he had grown enough that kidney dialysis would work. Peritoneal dialylsis was started when he was 6 mos. old - for 12 hours a day ,6 days a week. This was done at home.

Everyone was amazed when Jacob had his One Year Birthday. It was really a miracle that he was still here. The doctors started believing that he might make it long enough to be able to get a kidney transplant, but he had to be a lot bigger.

On July 26, we celebrated Jacob's Three year birthday! He is now big enough to get his kidney transplant. His Mom, Heather, will be his donor and the doctors say they are one of the best matches for a transplant that they have ever seen!
This is Jacob with his Mom Heather (our grand-daughter) and his Dad, Jason, at his 3 year birthday picnic. The family all had shirts with his picture on it.
Jacob is one of the happiest children I have ever seen. He is truly a miracle and I know the Lord has great plans for him. His transplant is scheduled to be done the last part of August.
If you want to read more about his journey with pictures, he has a web site: http://www.weemightyman.net/
Please be in prayer for him as this momentous time arrives.

30 comments:

bp said...

What an amazing story and truly a miracle from God!

Megan DiMaria said...

It's so nice to see a happy ending!

A prisoner of hope,
Megan

Charlotte said...

Praise God. I'm like you. I believe God has great things in store for this little guy. This is a wonderful post for the Spiritual Sundays blog.
Congratulations to you for being the first person to post on Spiritual Sundays. We didn't advertise it, but we have a give away for the first one - and, dear Ruthie, you're it. So, if you will send me your address at my e-mail address, I'll get it in the mail to you.
charlotte71@cox.net is my e-mail address

Melanie said...

Awesome story! Praise the Lord! I am so blessed by this story!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

God does have plans for that little boy. I will be praying for him.
Ginger

Anonymous said...

Oh, Ruthie, Praise God!! That little boy is certainly a miracle! God is so good and He does answer prayer! Hallellujah! Keep us updated about his surgery coming up.

Well, here I am, so I was able to get to your blog. Hopefully all is fixed in Blogland!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Mimi said...

what wonderful witness to the goodness and greatness of God...
I pray that the transplant will be successful!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ruthie, I'm back to see you. Your comment about your blue and white Currier and Ives dishes? I have those too. I have had them out on display for probably 12 years and decided to pack them away for awhile. I love those dishes, don't you? You'll have to post them soon and I'll have to go out into the garage and get mine.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

nannykim said...

awesome story!I'll add him to the prayer list.

Unknown said...

Powerful testimony! I love it when God steps in exceeds the expectations of medical science! Wow!

Thanks for sharing this!

KJ

G.L.H. said...

Glory to God! I will be praying for Jacob and for full recovery for your knee.

--Barbara

Kate said...

My husband recived his renal transplant in November of 1995. I'm so happy for you and your family!

Love,

Kate.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Oh, Ruthie, I held my breath as I read on down through this post! What a miracle! Just know that your granddaughter and this little guy are on my prayer list. I will so be looking for updates. Thanks for sharing this today! Cora

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

What a beautiful story! I'm a photographer for NILMDTS (for very sick infants like your grandson) but I always hope the doctors are wrong. I'm so very glad they were wrong about this sweet boy! I pray he'll do wonderfully with his transplant!

Julie said...

What a wonderful blessing!

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

Our God is an awesome God! What a miracle story Ruthie, I will continue to pray for God's hands to be on Jacob. What a wonderful inspiration your story is.

A glorious Sonday to you!
Kathi :)

SweetAnnee said...

Amazing and a testament to God
and what love can do..
deena
love ya Ruthie dear

Carrie Garvin said...

Truly amazing...God's hands certainly at work...

Technonana said...

Praising our Awesome God with you... I will be praying that all goes well with the surgeries!!
In Christ!!

joyh82 said...

What an amazing story and he is such a sweet looking little guy.
I hope all goes well the kidney transplant. His story is a real miracle.

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Ruthie, I love hearing that Jacob is still here and everything is going well. It's truly a miracle. And one that I am very familiar with. 35 years ago my daughter was born when I was only 24 weeks pregant. She weighed 2lbs, 10oz. She went down to 2lbs. 4 oz. She was in the hospital for 2 months in Denver General Hospital. I am so glad she was born there. They took such good care of her. She's very lucky. She has nothing wrong with her. I have always known she was a special gift from god. See, we have even more in common!!
Hugs, Terrie

Cottage Contessa said...

Oh Ruthie, what a lovely post about a beautiful little boy! I would be honoured to pray for your darling Jacob and his family. Keeping you and your knee in my prayers too sweetie.
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

a portland granny said...

I've been reading your posts, but life has been busy and thinking about a response to all you have written has made me think. Your little G-grandson is lovely and how nice for all of you to have him in your family!

A beautiful child like that is used to expand our faith, to test our trust, to teach us thanksgiving , and to gather in our arms and love. You are blessed with this sweet child in your lives.

I'm so sorry your knee isn't feeling better. I so trust that something can be done to help you that won't require surgery!

You have lots on your plate right now with your knee pain and the upcoming surgery of this sweet little
g-grandson.

I hope you have some times without pain. Constant pain is a thief of our well-being, our rest, our concentration, and above all, the ability to get things accomplished in daily living.

Thanks for visiting me. I put those pictures up since someone said they would have liked to see a picture in the brother/sister outfit. (I didn't have one).

These cameras that take an instant picture continue to amaze me. It does make life fun!

Be careful with that knee!

Praying for you folks in the days ahead.

Joan

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Ruthie, I am so embarrassed. I forgot to tell you my prayers and with Jacob & your family. I hope his surgery goes well. And that Jacob & his mom both have good recoveries. Please, keep us posted.
Hugs, Terrie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

So glad he is doing so well and will pray the surgery is a huge success. What a miracle from our Lord!

Robin said...

Wow what an incredible story! You have an amazing family!

Deb said...

Hi Ruthie, I don't know how I missed this post. The Lord is truly amazing. He's showing His face more and more and letting the world know that He's in control. No matter what the Doctors say the Weather Men, etc. I love the Lord and I am truly thankful to Him for Jacob. Deb

Natalie said...

Ruthie, What a precious story and testimony to the mighty works of God. He has a greater plan!

Kristy said...

Oh, sweet precious boy.
We are praying for him.
Blessings ~

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Lifting Jacob up in prayer, Ruthie. I hope all goes well and recovery will be quick fro both him and your grand daughter.