Jacob Quinn Paynter
 |
Jacob Quinn still has his et tube
very first
trip in a swing
Jacob Quinn Paynter was born on Oct 10, 2001 at 9:40 pm in Evansville, IN. He was diagnosed with "cdh" Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Which is a hole in his diaphragm. In Jacob Quinn's case, the hole was so big that he had almost no diaphragm. In which, his intestines and half of his liver was where his left lung should be. His left lung and heart was pushed over to the right side. There for his left lung was not developed and his heart was not to full capacity. 7 hours after he was born, a transport team from Riley's Hospital for Children, came and transported him and I to Riley's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. The trip took 4 hours to make. At 7:30 am, I registered Jacob Quinn into Riley. Up to now, Jacob Quinn has never been outside a hospital. Five days later, the Dr.s informed us that Jacob Quinn was failing and needed to be put on "E.C.M.O.", an artificial lung machine that takes the blood out of the body through a filter to extract CO2 and put in O2 and then through a heater and pumped back into the body. He needed this to let his lungs rest and heal and so the he may be stable enough for his "cdh" repair.
 |
4th time they tried to extubate.
He lasted 23 1/2 hours before he had to be reintubated.
The "cdh" surgery went somewhat well. The Dr.s had to make him a new diaphragm. In the middle of surgery, his spleen ruptured and had to be removed. Everything, up to today, has gone very well. The only set backs that he has had is Jacob Quinn having to be reintubated and have a tracheostomy. His trach is really not a set back because, I know he needs it to live and to grow and get better.
On Dec 30, 2001, Jacob Quinn was doing so well, that he was moved from the NICU to IICU (infant ICU). In the IICU, the soul purpose is to get Jacob Quinn and his parents trained and ready to go home. Like, getting winged off of the vent, started on bottle feeding, physical therapy, any and all normal and everyday activities of live. We, of course, have to be trained on his machines and what not. One thing his mother and I have to our advantage is, his mother is a nurse and I am a CPR/first aid instructor for the American Red Cross and have been a EMT/EMS. But, as you know, all that training flies right out the window when it comes to your child.
Jacob Quinn also has a sister, Riley Nichole. She is 3 years old and she loves her baby brother. We live in Carmi, IL. 35 miles west of Evansville, IN. Jacob Quinn and Riley has 3 cats. Patches, siamese, Chloe, gray haired alley cat, and Nelly, a gray long hair siamese.
Update, December 2002: I just wanted to let you know the latest update on Jacob. Jacob went to the Dr. last Friday and received a great report. Besides the fact that he is doing great, Jacob weighed 20 lbs. exactly and is 27 3/4 inches tall. The Dr. also gave Jacob the permission to be off of his vent and on his trach collar for 12 hours a day. Jacob was on the trach collar for 10 hours a day. During the next week and a half, if Jacob does good on the 12 hours a day through January 1, 2003, then Jacob can come off of the vent all together. yeah!!!
We will still have the vent for just in case, but it is a long and well deserved step that we have ever so patently been waiting for. Praise the Lord!!! He has brought Jacob a long way from where we started. Through a lot of ups and downs and over some quite large mountain. And he is still with Jacob through what obstacles he is about to face.
On the other hand, Riley is doing good also. Both Riley and Jacob is excited
about Christmas. Riley has asked for only 1 thing for Christmas, a pink Care
Bear. Santa told her that if she is good and also if she leaves some good
cookies for him, that she will get one.
Riley is in Pre-K during the afternoon. She really likes school. The school is
only one block over from our house, so I walk her to school everyday. She loves
to walk to school. On the way to school she says hi to a neighbor hood cat
everyday. Riley loves animals. Then again what 4 year old doesn't.
Well, that about does it for this time. We thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. In return we also pray for your well being and happiness. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
Update, January 2003: Jacob came off of the vent Monday Jan 6th at 8 am. He is, so far, doing GREAT!! We are so proud of him and all of the work and complishments he has done. Have a great new year!
Thank you and God bless,
Donnie and son
God loves everybody, even Ducks
