This is a story that I wrote for examiner.com but not all read my articles there and this family really needs prayer. I thought between examiner.com and my blog I could reach more people. Feel free to pass their information on.
This is Brantley on his 2 month birthday, Feb. 29th.
Most parents look forward to the birth of a child and Haleigh and David Jacobs are no exception. The parents of five children, they were looking forward to the birth of their sixth child when they learned that this child would need to be born early by cesarean. Haleigh was 32 weeks pregnant. The doctors thought there might be a need for bowel surgery and there were problems with the leg of the unborn child. Haleigh was moved from Mercy hospital to the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
Brantley Lane Jacobs was born on December 29th, 2011 at 7:42 pm to a proud but worried mom and dad. He weighed four pounds and three ounces and was breathing on his own. He did have to have a blood transfusion and needed stitches on several open spots. The doctors thought that he might lose his leg. By December 31rst the Doctors were fairly certain that Brantley had Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. This syndrome is a rare congenital condition that is present at birth and it results in the child having a large number of abnormal blood vessels. Different interventional techniques and surgical procedures are often needed. There was talk of transferring Brantley to Philadelphia or Cincinnati.
Brantley’s first days were filled with blood transfusions and trying to keep his blood counts up. When he was moved his bad leg would split open and start bleeding. Some days he would have minor bleeding but other days it would be major bleeding. He would get infections and need to go on antibiotics. He did start to have some good days and would make some progress. His parents sometimes felt like he would make two steps forward then one step back. One day he got mad and pulled the IV out of his head. There was also talk that Brantley might be sent to Boston.
Haleigh and David had many frustrating days waiting on the Doctors from Boston to call. Many days they thought that the call would come but it didn’t. January 19th was a good day. Haleigh was able to hold Brantley and feed him. By the 22cd Brantley was taking full bottles of mom’s milk. On January the 23rd they heard from the Boston Doctors who after looking at pictures and reports decided that Brantley also had symptoms of Cloves Syndrome. Cloves Syndrome has been described as an overgrowth syndrome with complex vascular anomalies. It is rare and symptoms range from mild to severe. The Boston Doctors did want to see Brantley but as an out patient. The Boston Doctors wanted him healthy, stable and able to go home before an appointment would be scheduled.
Brantley was gaining weight, was moved from the incubator to a big boy bed and his feeding tube came out on January 27th. Brantley did still need some blood transfusions and antibiotics for infections. In February it was decided that they would take Brantley to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The staff at this hospital told them to get him here. This was a blessing because Boston was dragging their feet.
On February 14th, the parents received a call from CNN. CNN had heard about Brantley through one of their photographers, who is a childhood friend of David. They are hoping this will get Brantley’s story out to the public. CNN’s story will appear on their page. On the 17th Big Sis got to hold Brantley for the first time and on the 18th Mom was able to give him his first real bath.
The 19th of February proved to be bad day for Brantley. He was bleeding badly again, his heart rate jumped up to 230, his blood counts were low and a spot they discovered the day before was abscessed. The IV and pic line went back in. They were waiting to get him moved to Arkansas and the insurance approved that move on the 21rst. He and his mom arrived at the hospital by Medi Flight on February 22cd.
Once there they found out that he had two different infections and one of them was E Coli. He is now in isolation and still on antibiotics. They had to shave part of his head to put a pic line there. They were going to do surgery on his legs but the Doctors decided on the 28th that the bones in Brantley’s leg have deteriorated so much they will have to amputate his leg, at least from the knee down. They will not amputate though until he has been on the E-Coli medicines for at least 21 day. Brantley also has spots from the syndrome on his belly and private parts. This is something that the Doctors say he will fight the rest of his life.
Today, February 29th, Brantley is two months old and his parents are still so proud. They have watched their baby fight more battles than most will ever fight. They have also watched the victories. Haleigh and David Jacobs have got to be worn out. They have missed work, lost sleep, have done a lot of driving and need help financially.
You can keep track of Brantley’s progress on the Prayers for Tyler Zander and Bryce Gannon page. Pray for Brantley during this journey. Pray that Brantley will get over the infections. Pray that God will give the Doctors wisdom to help Brantley. Pray for David and Haleigh, their family and that their needs will be met. There is a fund set up if you would like to make a donations. Donations are being accepted for Brantley Jacobs c/o Haleigh Jacobs at the First National Bank and Trust at 1100 N. Council, Blanchard, Oklahoma, 73010.
Psalm 28:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
