When words won’t do it justice

There are moments when words feel too small to do justice to what we are witnessing. This past week, we received two undeniable reminders of God’s power and the miracles He is working in Jacob’s life.

Early in the week, we got a call from Jacob’s neurologist that I will never forget. Her words still echo in my ears. Jacob’s case was presented recently at a neurology conference where the specialists were “more than happy with his results.” The clinical reality is the damage in Jacob’s brain is far less extensive than it should be. There is no medical reason for his rapid recovery or the lack of damage in his brain but we are adding it to the long list of miracles we have experienced.

To see him regain a majority of strength and feeling in his right arm and hand, to have the CTA show far less damage than expected, and to have his neurological evaluations show no psychological, academical, or emotional deficit defies logic.

We spent Thursday night and Friday morning in St Louis again for a follow-up with his liver transplant team. While I never look forward to another trip, it is always nice to get to spend the time joking and making memories with Jake. This time he had a whole new playlist for us to listen to as we jammed out in the car. The appointment brought more good news. His liver is working perfectly. The team was visibly moved by how incredible Jacob looks and how much ground he has gained in such a short time. They told Jacob he should be incredibly proud of his hard work and his refusal to quit. The sheer volume of therapy sessions, appointments, paperwork, and medications can feel endless, but when we receive news like this, it all is worth it.

Jacob is working every single day on his recovery and he deserves every bit of credit for his perseverance, but we know his strength is fueled by something far greater than us. While the medical world may not have a scientific explanation for why Jacob’s breaking through every barriar stacked against him, we know exactly where this healing comes from. This is God answering the cries of so many on our behalf.

As a parent, how do we begin to thank those who have stood in the gap for you? How do you thank those whose prayers saved your son?

You gave him the strength to keep fighting. You gave us the hope to keep going. Watching Jacob listening to his heart, his amazing, perfect, new heart, is a reminded that he is a walking, breathing collection of miracles. Not one, but a multitude, layered one on top of the other.We are simply overwhelmed. So while we know it isn’t enough, thank you. We see your prayers every single day in jacob. He is getting stronger, getting faster and taking control of his new life.

Jacob Smith

Peoria, IL

Transplant Type: Heart & Liver

Transplant Status: Transplanted

Goal: $75,000.00

Raised: $83,284 of $75,000 goal

Raised by 135 contributors

2 thoughts on “When words won’t do it justice

  1. Watch out Dan, Jacob is about to over take you with the punching bag!!!
    Keep going Jacob, every day is another step closer to complete good health.
    Still praying for you!

  2. So so very glad to be able to share in your miracles! I am amazed beyond words- as your mom says!! Rejoicing in all this. I’m on my way to visit my grandkids in Maryland and then take a mission trip to Japan to visit my grandkids there. (If you like YouTube check out Life in Japan. About a blond blue-eyed family living just outside Tokyo and who are sharing the gospel with the Japanese!!). Again you are the bravest teen I have yet to meet!

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