Parents of Jesse James

We are devastated and heartbroken for the loss of 7 week-old Jesse James.  After a week in and out of the hospital and an amazing fight for survival, the baby of Amy Hayden and Jeremy James, passed away due to complications from a respiratory infection (RSV). We are requesting any assistance with the ICU bills, counseling, missing work and associated costs with this horrific circumstance.  Any assistance is appreciated and feel free to share the post as well.

On Thursday, February 22nd the baby was admitted to the hospital via his pediatrician’s recommendation for RSV.  Jesse spent three and a half days in an oxygen tent along with antibiotics.  Sunday afternoon he was released.  On Monday, during his appointment with the pediatrician she instructed the parents to let the infection run its course.  By Wednesday morning his condition worsened and the decision was made to take him back to the hospital.  While packing the car for the trip, the baby went limp and appeared to be lacking oxygen.  Emergency was called and he was transported to the hospital in an ambulance.  When the parents arrived the staff informed them that they did not think Jesse had very long.  They sedated him and administered oxygen quickly, causing a rip in his lungs.  Jesse’s blood oxygen levels were not improving and he had to be placed on Ecmo, a heart and lung bypass machine to help him receive more oxygen in his blood and to help support all other bodily functions.  Jesse also had to receive a blood transfusion later that evening.  Jesse fought fiercely but his tiny body could not fight for long.  Along with the infection, amount of fluids and trauma he was sustaining his body was giving out.  His body couldn’t expel all the fluid and he started retaining it in his tissue resulting in bloating through out his body. He was only 8 pounds when he was first admitted to the hospital but by Friday he was unrecognizable. Thursday evening, the hospital arranged for Amy and Jeremy to stay in a room at the Ronald McDonald House across the street so they could get some rest.  At the end of the day, Jesse was still responding to the touching of his small feet and a loving voice with eyelid rolling.

Friday, March 2nd morning:

The staff came into the waiting room and asked family members to gather Jeremy and Amy.  When they came the staff asked for a meeting in a private room.  There they told Jeremy and Amy that Jesse’s body was shutting down and that they could not do anything more.  No one should have to hear these words and feel that pain. Jesse spent his last moments being comforted in his parents loving arms while they took him off the machines.  Jesse was their first child. Immediate family surrounded Amy and Jeremy when Jesse passed away on Friday, March 2nd at 9:15am.