Rockstar!

that is the word used to describe Jake the past two days. We are praising God for all of the progress and the reports we are getting from Jake’s teams. To put it in perspective: just a few days ago, he was still on the ventilator. Today, he is making huge strides in his recovery. The doctors credit this rapid improvement to all the hard “prehab” work Jake put in before the transplant, and of course, to the strength God is pouring into him.

We started today on a high note. Jake had his LAST chest tube removed! We started with six tubes and drains and to now see him completely free of them is incredible. It is a level of physical freedom he hasn’t had since before the transplant. He is still on the high-flow oxygen but is doing well on it. He was able to sit in the chair today to watch a movie. While it was wonderful to see him doing “normal” kid things, the reality is that we are also working hard on his pain management. The transition off the tubes and meds is a balance, and we are focused on keeping him as comfortable as possible while his body continues to heal from such a major surgery.

While we celebrate these milestones, we are also turning our eyes toward the next hurdle. Jake is scheduled for his 3-week post-transplant Cardiac Cath on Monday morning. He is doing fantastic, but any trip back to the procedure room brings a mix of emotions. We are spending the weekend moving forward, building his strength, and mentally preparing for Monday. We ask that you keep him in your prayers, specifically that his anxiety stays low, his strength continues to grow, and that Monday’s procedure goes smoothly with no signs of rejection.

Thank you for celebrating these milestones with us!

“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” — Psalm 18:32