Jacob Daily

October 2020

In April Jacob went to the Emergency Room where doctors noticed a large mass on his brain. He was rushed to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon. (Time out to thank and praise his team of doctors who are doing everything they can!) Where they attempted to remove and biopsy. The initial surgery went well but a series of complications developed, and Jacob had a brain bleed that has left him partially paralyzed in his legs and arms, and with expressive aphasia (loss of ability to speak or communicate with language). Jacob’s brain mass was diagnosed as a pineal gland germinoma, which is a type of brain tumor that is treated with radiation. When he was well enough, Jacob completed six weeks of daily radiation at Doernbecher. He was then transferred to Randall Children’s Hospital for intensive physical therapy to regain as much of his abilities as possible. After several weeks of hard work, Jacob suddenly stopped making progress. Another MRI was ordered, and unfortunately it showed that Jacob’s brain tumor had somehow metastasized to his spine. He was rushed from Randall back to Doernbecher to immediately start another long course of radiation treatment. Jacob has been in the hospital for six straight months, and he will probably still need more inpatient physical therapy once he’s done with the second course of radiation. When he eventually leaves the hospital, Jacob will need lots of equipment to help him be mobile at home, and in the community. Jacob has a family who loves him so much, and they appreciate any help they can get to ease the burden of Jacob’s recovery. Thank you from all of us who love this boy.