Baby Jacob Ortiz

At this time our sweet Brother and Sister in law,  Joseph and Emily Ortiz, are going through one of the hardest times of their lives and could use some help and prayers right now.  A little backstory, about midway through Emily's pregnancy, during an ultrasound it was discovered that her baby boy had some medical issues and upon further testing he was diagnosed with an abdominal hernia called Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH.  This condition prevents the babys heart and lungs to fully develop as the babies abdominal organs are pushed into the upper chest. They have seen several specialists the last few months traveling many times between Fresno and San Francisco for the best possible outcomes knowing he would need immediate intervention and surgery when he was born for his survival.  

After an anxious couple weeks waiting in San Francisco, our sweet nephew Jacob Wesley Ortiz arrived on the morning of 11/17/2021 on his daddy’s birthday. What a gift! After many tests and monitoring, doctors have asked Emily and Joseph to mentally prepare for a longterm stay, possibly up to a year at UCSF, before he might be able to go home and meet his brother and sister. 

Jacob has a very severe case of CDH and it’s been a very difficult 24 hours of trying to stabilize him. At any moment he may have surgery and be put under ECMO to help his lungs and heart work for him. This is a very invasive procedure and there are risks involved.  

My brother has always been a great provider for his family. He has had to miss more days of work than planned throughout her pregnancy and Emily will have to stay in San Francisco while the rest of their family back home in Tulare helps care for their other two children. Our family would really like to assist in alleviating the financial burden that Jacobs care might take on them. My heart aches that they are going through this and if you’ve met them they are genuinely the nicest people to literally everyone. They are the last people to ask for anything from others and the first to offer help when you need it. If you are able to help with a monetary donation, any amount is greatly appreciated. I know they would appreciate all the prayers for little Jacob as well and the journey that lies ahead for him.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! ❤ 

If you can please share, we would appreciate it!