Praise God for answered prayers!!! We are absolutely overjoyed to share the wonderful news that we have been waiting weeks for: Jake’s breathing tube has been removed!The silence in the room has finally been broken. While his voice is currently just a whisper (a common side effect after having the breathing tube in for so long) he is trying so hard to speak. Just hearing those soft whispers as he attempts to talk to us is absolute music to our ears.

To top off this amazing milestone, we received the news that both the lab results and the preliminary heart biopsy results have come back negative for rejection! His new organs are happy.Currently, Jake is being supported by high-flow oxygen to help him transition, but as a testament to his strength and resilience, he is doing so well that the team is already starting to wean that down as well. Because the ventilator is gone, the team has been able to discontinue his sedation. This is a massive step. He is still on pain medication which makes him a little sleepy at times, but we are finally seeing the real “Jacob” shine through. His personality, his humor, and his fighting spirit are back.

He has loved watching all the wonderful video messages from family and friends. They are the highlight of his day.We have to pause to shine a spotlight on a very special group of people that made a huge difference for Jacob, both today and in his recovery! We want to give a huge, heartfelt shout-out to his amazing physical therapy students and coordinator at the Bradley Physical Therapy Clinic. Jake absolutely lit up while watching your video! It brought the biggest smile to his face. In fact, he was so proud of it that he made sure to show your video to the entire team here at the hospital in St. Louis. It was such a beautiful moment of his two worlds connecting. his “home team” cheering him on as he starts his PT work with his “transplant team.” Thank you for making him feel so special and empowered.

From here, the days will be filled with hard work. Now that he is free of the vent and the heavy sedation, he can really begin the physical work of recovery. He will need to works hard to get back his strength and stamina and regain strength and mobility in his right arm and hand. We know it won’t be easy, but he is ready.

We are incredibly humbled and feel so undeserving of the tidal wave of love, prayers, and support you have shown us, but we are forever grateful for it. We know how powerful that love is. It has carried us to this moment and will continue to carry us and Jake forward.Thank you for praying for us through the silence. We are ready for the noise of recovery!

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.— Psalm 71:23