Medical Care for Jakob

I could not imagine that three words can change one’s life, as a paramedic of nearly 15 years I have dealt with or seen just about as much as one can handle.  In one phone call from my daughter Taylor the mother of Jakob our sweet 9-month-old grandson did just that.  "He is blue" are the words that changed our lives on Wednesday March 17, 2021.  Jakob was eating his dinner and started to cry when Taylor walked away from his highchair.  Carly was in the dining room as well getting a bottle ready for Shane our other grandson, when she turned and noticed Jakob was turning blue and purple. Carly yelled for Taylor and immediately was taking him out of the highchair and started to pat his back.  Taylor attempted back blows with no success.  The first call I received was from Taylor saying Mom "he is blue, I can't clear his airway".  I instructed them to put me on speaker phone and to call 911, our call was disconnected at that time.  Carly called me back again and was calling 911 on another phone, while I was giving Taylor instructions to clear his airway and to start chest compressions.  I could hear she was able to get a partial clearing due to his broken breathing. 

Taylor continued to give back blows and chest compressions till Mankato First Responders and EMS arrived and assisted with life saving measures.  Jakob was transported to Mankato ER, while at the ER he went into Respiratory Arrest and had continued chest compressions performed for a short duration.  The hospital was able to intubate Jakob and stabilize him at that time.  Jakob had little to no oxygen for over 40 minutes, during this time.  While Jakob was being intubated, he aspirated vomit which caused increased blockage in his lungs.  Jakob was then airlifted to Minneapolis Children's Hospital and was taken to the OR on arrival to clear out his airway.  

At 4 am Thursday Morning we finally were able to see our grandson.  In all my years as a medic I was not prepared for how we found him walking into his room. Jakob was on several medication pumps, intubated with a ventilator breathing for him, he also had EEG, and EKG monitoring.  We were informed the medications were to help prevent infection, along with controlling his blood pressure, and sedation.  He was being cooled to help his body heal from the respiratory arrest and his brain to heal from the hypoxia.  They cooled Jakob at 35 degrees Celsius for 72 hours.  We were informed that was the magic number before they could do an MRI to see if he had an anoxic brain injury from the hypoxia he sustained while being stabilized.  This has been one of the longest 72 hours I have ever experienced. 

The MRI indicated Jakob did not have any noted anoxic injuries at this time, unfortunately due to the duration of hypoxia he sustained along with his age they may not have a conclusive evaluation of the brain injury that could still be present.  Jakob remained on his ventilator for another three days to help his lungs heal.  During this time, he had another bronchoscope procedure to make sure that all the particulates had been removed.  They found his lungs were healing well and that the endotracheal tube could be removed.  Jakob was placed on CPap to continue supporting his lungs and helping him heal.  He has had several issues keeping up his oxygen saturation levels and needs continued assistance in removing secretion's that he is not able to cough up on his own.  

Jakob is currently still on the CPap after attempting a short trial on high flow oxygen, due to not being able to maintain his oxygen levels on his own.  He is being carefully taken off several of the medications that were used to sedate him while being intubated.  Jakob is having an exceedingly difficult time coming off these medications and is demonstrating withdrawal type symptoms.  They had to increase his medications till he is stabilized again but will continue helping him through this process.  At this time, we are not sure how long Jakob will remain in the hospital.  Taylor will stay with him throughout this time, along with Grandma and Grandpa alternating days and nights.  

Along with his continued recovery and unknown brain injury that is still undetermined. Taylor is unable to work, she is a single parent with no other means of financial support.  We are asking those that can assist in any means along with sending prayers for Jakob's continued healing.  We would like to take this time to Thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support you have already sent us.
  
We will continue updates on Jakob throughout his healing process since all we have is time now to help him heal and let his beautiful smile return to us once again.  We are blessed Jakob is alive and still with us.  Thank you all again for the continued prayers and support for Jakob and Taylor in this time of need.