Jake’s Story

Site created on July 2, 2018

Welcome to Jake's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Thank you for visiting.

Jake is a husband (the best) and father (also the best!) of three as well as a son, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, outdoorsman, and so many other things. If you don't know Jake, he is passionate about spending time with his kids (his own and those that he teaches and coaches), all things outdoors, and spending time and working with his best friend (me!)

Jake's story began when he was a senior in college with what was seemingly a bout of food poisoning that was eventually diagnosed as ulcerative colitis. In 2008 his colon got way too angry, so the decision was made by his team to evict it! Jake had a colectomy (they removed his colon) and then j-pouch construction (they used his small intestine to reconstruct where his large intestine was). In the healing process he had a temporary ostomy bag and reconstruction six months later.

During the healing process from this surgery he became really jaundiced and we went back to Mayo for additional testing. It turns out that a percentage of individuals that have ulcerative colitis also have another disease called Primary Schlerosing Colangitis (PSC). Mayo Clinic's Definition: 'Primary sclerosing (skluh-ROHS-ing) cholangitis (koh-lan-JIE-tis) is a disease of the bile ducts. Bile ducts carry the digestive liquid bile from your liver to your small intestine. In primary sclerosing cholangitis, inflammation causes scars within the bile ducts. These scars make the ducts hard and narrow and gradually cause serious liver damage.'

We were told at that time that if the disease progresses, there would be a good chance that there would be a new liver in Jake's future! That brings us to today, it is time for a transplant and for us to share Jake and our family's story.  Jake has been listed on the transplant list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and we are actively seeking a live donor.  If you are interested in learning more about the process or becoming a donor, you can find more information here: https://www.uwhealth.org/transplant/living-liver-donor-inquiry/51917 or (608) 262-5420.

As far as our kids go...we are open with them, but certainly don't want this to be the focus of their days. Please don't initiate a conversation with them, but if they do with you, just know that we appreciate your positive support and not asking them details or questions that are difficult! We are so grateful to be surrounded by an incredible support system and community, we couldn't do this life without you.

Newest Update

Four Years. And Counting.

Journal entry by Becky Gehrke —

Hi All.

This post is an update and a ‘see you later’.  Today’s anniversary snuck up on us and that is a gift that I can’t even begin to explain.  This journey has been a constant whir of numbers, days, milestones, months, and measurement.  Lab work every day has turned into once a month.  The anxiety of the what-if has faded and ‘boring’ (health-wise) has settled in.  These are the days that we prayed for, boring.

Today is the fourth anniversary of the biggest gift that our family has, and hopefully will ever, receive.  I don’t even have words for what the Cade family means to us.  Aaron is our literal Angel on Earth.  His selfless willingness to put his own life on the line to save Jake’s can’t even be explained, I am still speechless.  My heart is just now moving far enough away from survival mode to really think about his sacrifice.  Aaron, Heidi, Kinzie, and Ryleigh…thank you.  

To our kids:  you will probably read this, if not now, someday.  I want you to know and remember three things.  First, you three make everything in this world worth fighting for and we love (and are proud of you) beyond words.  Second, your dad is a badass.  Third, what Mr. Cade did for your dad is what the very best of people looks like.  Remember that and when you can, even in the smallest of ways, mirror that.  Capture that light in your hearts and share it with others.  

To Jake: you my dear, are the strongest person that I know.  I am in constant awe of your ability to not only literally survive but to give back and give more of yourself.  Your determination and strength are unmatched in my eyes.  I love you.

Finally, there may be bumps in the road to come but it is my hope and prayer that this page is just one to share the needs of others from now on.  There are so many families that are climbing their mountain right now and it is our wish that you say an extra prayer for them.  If you know us, you know that we are fairly private.  This page was a HUGE step out of our comfort zone and a cry for help when we found out that none of us were a match for Jake.  This journey has fundamentally, completely, changed us.  In talking to a friend this week that is in the middle of their climb I can’t help but think about how incredibly grateful I am for community.  I am grateful for our family.  Thank you for being our champions and support.  

We love you. 
Read More of the journal titled "Four Years. And Counting."
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