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Baby Jah Jah's Funeral and Memorial Fund

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If you're a parent, then you can relate when I say that our worst fear is illness, injury and/or death of our children. 

Please take a minute to read this child's story and put yourself in the parents shoes. Even if you cant afford to donate a penny, please help spread awareness of this rare form of cancer that affected this angel, in hope a treatment or cure can be found.

This will ensure no other families live the nightmare of a child departing in front of their eyes. 
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I, Stephanie, a friend of a family member, who followed this little boys journey, am reaching out to all of you. I want to raise awareness on this rare cancer diagnosis (one of the family's goals) and do the least I can do, which is to donate all the donations to The Myer's Family, to lay their precious 3 year 5 month old baby boy Jah'eir Myers, to rest in the fashion he came in.  

The Myer's Family were completely blindsided and still in shock their innocent angel departed this earth so suddenly. I am positive presenting some financial assistance, will greatly assist them in the grieving process, by showing their community supports them and the cure of this cancer for future generations. 

Jah'eir (aka "Jah Jah") Mosiah Vincent Myers was born on October 17th, 2017.  Shadella Rogers and Anthony Myers were beyond blessed and ecstatic to become parents to this innocent, beautiful, God sent child.

Jah Jah was just like any healthy baby throughout most of his 1st year, until 7.5 months. He was as happy as can be, learning to coo, smile, crawl and of course cry and cause havoc. (If you're a  parent this will resonate with you well. However, most of us take this for granted, right?)

May 2018-  

At 7.5 months, his parents noticed while he was crawling around, he was starting to lean to the right side, was irritable and experiencing projectile vomiting.

Shadella naturally brought him to the pediatrician. The pediatrician stated Jah Jah had Torticollis, a problem involving the muscles of the neck, that causes the head to tilt to the side. The Pediatrician advised exercises could assist in stretching the muscles to correct his head/neck positioning.

As far as his symptom of irritability and vomiting, the doctor recommended a visit to the pediatric gastroenterologist to rule out gas or reflux. An appointment was made. Shadella continued to exclusively breast feed and watch her diet.

June 8th, 2018-

A few days post their doctor's visit, the vomiting became a clear liquid, despite breast milk being opaque. Shadella couldn't take it any longer and brought him to the CT Children's Medical Center out of concern. 

During the visit, the medical team decided to have him looked at by the gastroenterologist, Dr. Catherine Baldwin. Dr. Baldwin noted the vomiting to be concerning after the measurement of his head revealed it was 92% larger than other babies his age.  She wanted him admitted to the hospital for observation, explaining, his larger head circumference and vomiting can be indication of a neurological problem. 

After a tiring, anxiety filled week of observing Jah Jah's intake and output of fluids, the medical team measured his head circumference again and became VERY concerned. They recommended more testing and diagnosed him with Hydrocephalus.

The Hydrocephalus required an external shunt to be placed ASAP, to relieve the pressure on his brain.

They conducted imaging following to find out the cause. When the imaging came back, they received the most life changing news. Again, the words that all parents fear...


Jah Jah was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer- Anaplastic Ependymoma.


The medical team collaborated and decided on open brain surgery as the best predictable outcome. 

On June 12, 2018-

Jah Jah survived a 14 hour (7am-9pm) open brain surgery. Due to his age, he was not a candidate for radiation and only could recieve chemotherapy. The medical team advised on starting this treatment along with other supportive medications. 

After surgery Jah Jah acquired a tracheostomy to keep his airway open due to the surgery. Brain surgery often results in difficulty swallowing and can affect breathing.

After a LONG hospital stay for monitoring, he was able to return home with his family and nursing support on August 22, 2018.  

During the next 8 months, Jah Jah had continuous MRIs supporting good news of no reoccurrence of tumors/regrowth. 

Jah Jah fought and fought become nothing short of a miracle. He was relearning to crawl and walk again. The family's hopes were high that Jah Jah would prevail this devilish diagnosis.

June 8, 2019-

A group of proud, hopeful family and friends stood tall and celebrated his one year survival walk of being CANCER FREE!

June 19th, 2019-His usual MRI appointment and then......
*A spine crawling call with bad news...."Unfortunately, we have regretful news. We see REOCURRENCE exhibited on this MRI".

Jah Jah's parents refused to give up. They advocated for radiation, even though doctors did not want to administer it until he was 3 YO. After advocating countless times to regain hope, the medical team met and finally agreed to start the radiation treatments.

October 2019-

Routine MRI completed and again, heart tearing news....

The tumors were RAPIDLY growing. The medical team explained the tumors were so close to his brain stem, that they were suppressing it.

October 16, 2019- 

Jah Jah was admitted to the hospital once again. His parents were told he wouldn't see his 2nd birthday tomorrow. In a panic and trying to exhaust all measures, Jah Jah's parents questioned more radiation. The medical team  gave them push back and said it was too high of a risk. 

Jah Jah's parents refused to see their baby just lay there and wait for God to take him in his arms. 

His parents refused to accept this decision and agreed they'd fight for him until the end!!

Thankfully, he made it PAST his 2nd birthday. His parents continued to advocate for the radiation. Finally they found an Anesthesiologist who was willing to take the high risk of radiation treatments on Baby Jah Jah. They were beyond appreciative and remain so until this day.

HE RECIEVED 10 RADIATION TREATMENTS!! 

However, Jah Jah sustained brain inflammation due to the radiation. He would need to start a steriod to assist in decreasing the inflammation before another MRI could be conducted. 


After a long 30 days, the results were in. The results revealed the 3 tumors stopped growing! It showed 1 shrunk, 1 was necrotic (dead tissue) and 1 remained the same size.

Despite what everyone thought was great news and a step in the right direction, the doctors relayed there was no hope for him to sustain a long life. 

December 2, 2019-

Jah Jah and his parents returned home once again, mind you, they never left his side. This time Jah Jah had his tracheostomy in addition to oxygen. Thankfully they had nursing support once again. 

January 20, 2020-

After a short stay home, Jah Jah was admitted to the hospital again. The Decadron (steroid to control inflammation) distended his stomach, causing his stomach to fold the bottom of his lungs, limiting his ability to get rid of his carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide built up to 99%, causing Jah Jah to go into respiratory failure.

The doctor's told his parents the damage from the carbon dioxide was irreversible. The infamous words spoken again, he not make it. 

His mother, Shadella stated, "You keep telling me he's going to go, but he's still here. Please do not tell me this again."

February 2020-

Jah Jah's family received vent training (assisted him in exchanging his oxygen and carbon dioxide correctly) in order for Jah Jah to go home. 

HE PREVAILED ONCE AGAIN!

This was his longest stretch at home.

March 2020-

Covid hit causing all of Jah Jah's appointments and MRIs to be cancelled, but despite the unknown, he continued to do well. He even gained movement again, this time with the obstacle of all the tubes attached to him.

August 2020-

Jah Jah was finally able to return to his routine of doctor's appointments and MRIs. 

The proceeding MRI showed a 10% growth to his tumors. The medical team restarted chemotherapy and medications. 

However, his parents started to notice his regained strength/movements started to diminish. Radiation and surgery were not an option at all at this point.

October 20, 2020-

Another MRI exhibited 25% growth to his tumors. At this point, Jah Jah continued with the same regimen. His parents were lost and just holding on to hope and a miracle.

November 20, 2020-

Jah Jah's parents started to notice worsening symptoms. The symptoms reminded them of when when his tumors were pressing on his brain stem. 

Eventually, Jah Jah was no longer moving or putting his hands in his mouth, as he always did.

January 2021-

Jah Jah ended back up on the hospital for 9 days, due to developing an eye infection. A hopeful little bump in the road any kid was susceptible to. 

March 4, 2021-

Jah Jah started having fevers, so his parents naturally, brought him to the ER. The medical team found he had a bacteria in his tracheostomy called, Proteus Mirabilis. They started him on 5 days of antibiotics. The medical team recommended an MRI and was completed while he was there.

March 5, 2021-

Jah Jah's parents received the MRI results. Their worst fear was confirmed. Jah Jah's tumors had a growth rate of 100%. 

The medical team stated, "These images are disheartening."

March 6, 2021-

Jah Jah returned home and fought along his journey another week.

March 12, 2021-

Jah Jah still had a fever. He completed his antibiotics. Shadella had an inclination something wasn't right, but was directed to give him Tylenol.  His fever came down a bit.

March 13, 2021-

Once again, Jah Jah woke up with a 104 degree fever. They brought him to the hospital and he was admitted. 

His heart rate was measuring 213 beats per minute. The hospital team gave Motrin and restarted IV antibiotics. 

His parents, feeling helpless, put cold clothes and ice packs under his armpits, to try and cool his body. His body continued to be so hot to touch. 

Jah Jah's fever eventually started to come down a few degrees and the doctors offered to send him home with antibiotics through his G tube (tube into stomach due to his ventilation and inability to take anything by mouth). His parents stated they weren't comfortable with this and rather stay for IV antibiotics, Motrin and Tylenol. Thank God they did. 

March 14, 2021-

Jah Jah's fever started to increase, as feared, to 105 and then 106 degrees. His heart rate remained high, 180-190 beats per minute. Any movement, increased his heart rate, which indicated stress on his heart and exhibited his poor condition.

March 15, 2021-

Early in the morning Jah Jah's heartrate increased to an ultimate high of  220 beats per minute. His fever was an unbelievable 108 degrees. He was more lethargic and responding to very little stimuli.


12:30PM-

Shadella called Anthony to tell him her spirit was telling her something was not right with their baby. She told him to leave work and come to the hospital ASAP. She just knew something was impending. Anthony arrived and Jah Jah's temperature actually came down to 106 degrees, so once again they were in route to hopeful progress.

4PM-

Due to the high fever being consistent, without any further decrease from 106 degrees, the medical team offered to administer Morphine.  They felt Jah Jah must be physically uncomfortable with his fever and heart rate being so high. They thought it might help relax him and move things in a positive direction. Shadella and Anthony agreed.

7:45PM-

After getting the medication, Jah Jah's heart rate started to come down, but was bouncing around and kept trying to increase. His parents watched the monitors and noticed his heart was continuing to fight. However, it was concerning, his oxygen was dropping at the same time. His parents noticed it was in the 90's and suddenly then the 80's. 

THE MEDICAL TEAM RAN IN....They wanted to use life saving measures. In a matter of seconds, his parents needed to make a decision if they wanted to shock his already compromised body.  His parents knew his body was too weak and opted to let his body naturally fight.

After the most difficult decision of their lives in that second of time, the nurse went to take his pulse on his wrist.

Shadella knew in her heart there we seconds left.
She grabbed her baby boy from the bed and upon picking him up.....HE WAS GONE.  

On the evening of March 15th, 2021 at 7:45PM-

Shadella heard and felt the SILENCE upon picking up her Warrior, Baby Boy, Love of her Life. In an instance, there was no heart beat, no chest retractions or beautiful soul present. Jah Jah made his transition into their Angel.

Many lives were changed in an instant...


     
       Jah'eir Mosiah Vincent Myers loved his mommy and daddy. Jah Jah was an avid reader with his mommy, Shadella. Everyday of his life, multiple times a day, he looked forward to video chatting his Gamma. Jah Jah loved Beat Bugs, all music, singing and PJ Mask. Cat Boy was his favorite and always put a smile on his face. Actually, despite his battle, he was always smiling. He loved his stuffed animals and snuggling. He was a happy baby boy who experienced so much in his short time here thanks to his loving family and friends! 

His family wants all to know he still got to experience a "childhood" full of many excursions and exciting moments.

Shadella and Anthony were so lucky to be his parents. ❤

            They are a young couple who have been through so much these few years. It would be nothing short of appreciated if we could all donate to cover the finances of his burial and raise awareness of this rare cancer. 

Shadella and Anthony made it clear, they do not want any other families to have to experience what they did. They are so grateful for any and all HELP! 

           As a friend, I have created this GoFundMe account to help pay for totally unexpected baby Jah'ier Myers funeral expenses, uncovered medical expenses, and the expenses they will incur from loss of work while they deal with this unexpected tragic loss and plan their baby’s funeral. Any left over funds will be donated to Make A Wish Foundation.

           Please, please pray for healing and strength for Shadella, Anthony and their entire family.  

RIP their precious baby Jah Jah. You will always hold a special place in all the hearts you touched.  You were treasured and loved. You were their sweet baby boy, even if only for a short time. Many hearts are torn in a million pieces.

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Donations 

  • Stefanie Rogers
    • $20
    • 4 yrs
  • Marlon Royes
    • $200
    • 4 yrs
  • Amy Cotto
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
  • Ruth Cohen
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Stephanie Grant
Organizer
Killingworth, CT
Shadella Rogers
Beneficiary

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