Jacob's Journey
Donation protected
I am starting this Go Fund Me Page for the family of a young man that I have known his entire life as my nephew, Jake. My best friends' Adam and Nicole had Jacob in January of 2000. He was born a perfect little bundle of joy. Shortly after Nicole had him, they started to notice that he was in distress. It was quickly determined that Jacob's heart was not working. While he had grown safe and healthy within Nicole, his heart was unable to support his little body once it was on it's own.
It was determined that Jacob needed a new heart. He was quickly transferred to All Children's Hospital in St Petesburg, FL. On March 3, 2000, one family's tragic loss became the answer to Adam and Nicole's prayers. Jacob received his heart. He was only 6 weeks old.
From that day in 2000, Jacob has had many ups and downs. He has always beaten the odds and amazed doctors, families, and friends. While overcoming his medical needs, he lived a normal and happy life.
In 2009, Jacob had an aortic aneurysm that required an aortic arch graft. This was one of the scariest's moments of our lives. As always, Jacob amazed us all and came out of the surgery like a champ. We thought the tough roads were behind us.
In 2013; it was deteremind that Jacob would face a new challenge. He had kidney disease, and as a result was in kidney failure. This young teen now would have to face dialysis 3 times a week. In addition to the dialysis, he would undergo a form of chemotherapy to try to combat the kidney disease. At the same time, he was put on the transplant list for a kidney. Once again on October 26, 2014; another family's tragic loss became the answers to Jacob's prayers. He got a kidney.
Since Jacob's kidney issues, he has had many health issues. On May 26th, Jacob was admitted to the hospital becasue he had fluid on his lungs. As the doctors fought to combat the fluid, they had to put Jacob in a medically induced coma and venilator. His body was working too hard to try to breathe. On July 3, Jacob had to quickly be put on a heart & lung machine that would take over complete lung function for 8 days. The machine allowed his lungs to rest and he has slowly started to recover. Jacob has remained in his medically reduced coma for over two months. He is slowly healing, and they have just begun to ween him out of the coma. On July 22nd, he became somewhat alert.
I know this post is lenghtly, but I think it is warranted to understand the true hardship that this sweet person has endured. Jacob has a long road ahead of him, He will likely remain in the hospital for months to come. To make this hardship worst, Jacob and his family live in Jacksonville, FL. His hospital is four hours away in St Pete, FL. At the time of his hospital admission, his father was getting ready to launch his own business. Those plans were put completely on hold, as him and Nicole have been in St Pete since May 24th. To make matters more difficult, Jacob's 2 sisters have been living with Adam's mom in Coconut Creek, FL. She tries to bring the girls to see their parents every other weekend, but this expense is costly, as she is retired.
With no current income coming in, the family being divided, and the stress of Jacob's health, this family is facing the hardest challenge of their lives. The only thing that matters right now is Jacob's healing. However, I'd like to try to ease their burder just a little as they face all these challenges.
Any amount would be appreciated.
It was determined that Jacob needed a new heart. He was quickly transferred to All Children's Hospital in St Petesburg, FL. On March 3, 2000, one family's tragic loss became the answer to Adam and Nicole's prayers. Jacob received his heart. He was only 6 weeks old.
From that day in 2000, Jacob has had many ups and downs. He has always beaten the odds and amazed doctors, families, and friends. While overcoming his medical needs, he lived a normal and happy life.
In 2009, Jacob had an aortic aneurysm that required an aortic arch graft. This was one of the scariest's moments of our lives. As always, Jacob amazed us all and came out of the surgery like a champ. We thought the tough roads were behind us.
In 2013; it was deteremind that Jacob would face a new challenge. He had kidney disease, and as a result was in kidney failure. This young teen now would have to face dialysis 3 times a week. In addition to the dialysis, he would undergo a form of chemotherapy to try to combat the kidney disease. At the same time, he was put on the transplant list for a kidney. Once again on October 26, 2014; another family's tragic loss became the answers to Jacob's prayers. He got a kidney.
Since Jacob's kidney issues, he has had many health issues. On May 26th, Jacob was admitted to the hospital becasue he had fluid on his lungs. As the doctors fought to combat the fluid, they had to put Jacob in a medically induced coma and venilator. His body was working too hard to try to breathe. On July 3, Jacob had to quickly be put on a heart & lung machine that would take over complete lung function for 8 days. The machine allowed his lungs to rest and he has slowly started to recover. Jacob has remained in his medically reduced coma for over two months. He is slowly healing, and they have just begun to ween him out of the coma. On July 22nd, he became somewhat alert.
I know this post is lenghtly, but I think it is warranted to understand the true hardship that this sweet person has endured. Jacob has a long road ahead of him, He will likely remain in the hospital for months to come. To make this hardship worst, Jacob and his family live in Jacksonville, FL. His hospital is four hours away in St Pete, FL. At the time of his hospital admission, his father was getting ready to launch his own business. Those plans were put completely on hold, as him and Nicole have been in St Pete since May 24th. To make matters more difficult, Jacob's 2 sisters have been living with Adam's mom in Coconut Creek, FL. She tries to bring the girls to see their parents every other weekend, but this expense is costly, as she is retired.
With no current income coming in, the family being divided, and the stress of Jacob's health, this family is facing the hardest challenge of their lives. The only thing that matters right now is Jacob's healing. However, I'd like to try to ease their burder just a little as they face all these challenges.
Any amount would be appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amy Hankes
Organizer
Boca Raton, FL
Adam Mitchell
Beneficiary