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.