Jacob’s Story

Site created on July 15, 2018

Friday July 13th we took Jacob to his pediatrician because he hadn't been feeling well for a couple of weeks.  The Dr requested that we run Jacobs blood work based on his exam that afternoon.  The Dr. told us that we would have results within 4 hours and if there was anything wrong he would call us to discuss the results.  Two  hours later we received a phone call that would change our lives.  We were asked to rush Gibby to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles because his white blood cell count was extremely high.  Soon after we arrived at the hospital we were told Gibby had Leukemia and would need to start treatment as soon as possible.  The next 24 hours were some of the most overwhelming hours of our lives, between all of the information we received from the doctors to the outpouring of support we have received from our family and friends.  We have been asked by many " How can we help?" or "What can we do?" and to be honest, Heather and I have no idea what we need help with yet.  We do know this is going to be a long journey for our entire family over the next few years. 
 Gibby is one tough kid and will take this challenge head on to kick cancers ass.  Our family asks everyone to please go to Children's Hospital and donate blood or platelets.  Gibby is going to need many blood and platelet infusions over the next few months, so any help you can give is greatly appreciated by us all. #cancersucks #gibbystrong.  

Newest Update

April 24, 2019

Journal entry by Geoffrey Gibson —

🧡Gibby Update🧡

Gibby was able to start his last intense phase of chemo last Tuesday. Unfortunately by Thursday he started feeling very weak and had early signs of mucositis, by Thursday night he was running a low grade fever and we had to go to the ER at CHLA. Fortunately his bloodwork/counts looked great, after doing an ultrasound on his kidneys and a few other tests we were able to go home Friday morning. Gibby hung in there at home the best he could over the weekend, sleeping most of of the time. 

Monday morning we headed to his oncologist at the clinic in Ventura and his blood pressure (which has been high since he was discharged 3 weeks ago) was now very high, he was dehydrated and hasn’t eaten since last Thursday. We had to get him back to CHLA and admitted. 

His bloodwork and counts still look great!! They are keeping him here to control/monitor his high blood pressure, control his pain, keeping him hydrated and the oncology team is trying to come up with a plan for the rest of the Methotrexate chemo scheduled for this phase. This is the same chemo that he had a bad reaction to over Christmas, his body just doesn’t tolerate it. 

We are hoping and praying that he will be home for his 14th Birthday on Saturday. 
We thank you for all your love, prayers 

#GibbyStrong🧡

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