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Journal
April 6, 2006 It has now been two years since Jacob became an angel. He is loved and missed so very much. As we pass though the anniversaries of the transplant, his birthday and his death, he is even more on our minds. Most memories are of the happy times, Jacob would want that. As we observe the world coming to life with spring and get ready to observe the ressurection of our Lord, we are reminded that Jacob also has a new life and someday, we will join him. We feel so very blessed to have been a part of his life.
Jacob Richard Shotwell was born at Harrison Hospital, in Bremerton Washington, on March 7, 1990. He was the son of Luz Saunders of Charlotte, North Carolina and Steve Shotwell of Hansville, Washington. It was several months before it was realized that Jacob was seriously ill. He was born with a suppressed immune system. He spent the majority of the first year of life in Children's Hospital in Seattle. His first birthday and each subsequent birthday were joyous occassions chronicalling the miracles that continued to happen for Jacob as he lived far beyond any original prediction. At one time he proudly proclaimed: "I am a miracle boy". Jacob spent many holidays in the hospital. His third, eighth and his last birthday, the fourteenth, were all spent in the hospital. Hospitals, doctors, and medical procedures were a constant part of his life. He made an impact on the doctors and nurses who cared for him. They all remember Jacob as being a happy boy who took all of the difficulties in stride. Also, the daily routine, involved to just maintain life, was very demanding. For most of his life, he received the majority of his nourishment and countless medications through his gastric tube. His first central line was placed when he was a tiny infant. At least every two weeks he would spend an entire day in clinic receiving IV medication that helped keep an immune system functioning. For over seven years he had a colostomy and all of the care and complications that went with it, as well as a painful skin ulcer next to it. Throughout Jacob's life he received regular injections, he underwent numerous surgeries, medical procedures and spent thousands of days in the hospital. Throughout all of this, he remained a sweet, happy, delightful boy who just wanted to be like the other kids. It was important to Jacob to do whatever possible to live a normal life. Each year he was enrolled in school. Some years would be marked with long absences due to hospitalization but he loved people and wanted to be at school. There were times that his stamina was so poor that he would fall asleep on the school bus ride home. Other than his family and the medical professionals, most people who knew Jacob did not realize the demands of his condition. He wanted it that way. He wanted to join the other kids on their bikes, skates and scooters. He did not complain or ever question his affliction. Those who had the privilege of knowing Jacob, remember him as far more than a sick boy.
Jacob loved an adventure. He traveled to Disneyland twice, once as a guest of the Make A Wish foundation. He loved to take road trips. He went to the Oregon coast to see Keiko the killer whale and then on to San Francisco. After he moved to North Carolina, in 1998, he visited Biltmore, along with Williamsburg and the Washington DC area. Four times he flew across country to visit his family in Washington state, two of those times he came all alone. The summer of 2003, he traveled to Gettysburg and other Pennsylvania sites and then on to Michigan to visit family. He enthusiastically met this journey, in spite of his frail condition.
Jacob had a tenderness. He was sensitive to the needs of others, whether it be his mother or another sick child. Most of all, what people remember about Jacob, is his sense of humor. He loved to laugh and pull pranks. He had a quick wit and a delightful laugh. He loved 'bathroom humor' and was even presented a 'fart machine' by some favorite nurses. It was fun to be with him.
Jacob liked to draw and was a talented artist. He spent many hours hooked to pumps that required him to be sedentary. During theses times he would often create something with pencil and paper. He was generous and often gave his masterpieces away.
Jacob was ingenious and figured out a way to earn money, in spite of the fact that he was hospitalized. His 'jewelry business' drew much notoriety at Duke Medical Center. He sold bracelets made in the hospital playroom to earn money to buy a much desired video game. Most of all, Jacob loved people, all people, old or young, sick or healthy, it didn't matter. There were so many people who were touched by Jacob, in spite of his short life. Those who had the privilege to know him, definitely know that they have met a very special person." On April 6, 2004 Jacob went to heaven. He was willing to take the ultimate gamble to have a healthier life and underwent a cord-blood stem-cell transplnt at Duke University Medical Center. His frail, damaged body could not survive the process and he went into a coma only 24 days post transplant. He spent his final 3 weeks of life on life support.
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