Recovery has been hard. Much harder than Jacob expected. And much harder than I expected. We were both thankful to move to Children’s Hospital after a week at VGH. The nurses and doctors were good at VGH, but there really is no comparison to the care given at Children’s. The atmosphere is considerably more pleasant here too, as well as the building. We joked it was like moving from a Motel 6 to a Hilton.
Over the last 9 days, Jacob has hardly eaten anything. A feeding tube has been put in through his nose. Yesterday was tough on him getting used to it, but he’s already adapting and feeling a bit better about it all. The feeding tube is something that has been “threatened” all through chemo by the nurses and myself to keep him motivated to maintain his weight, and he has worked so hard to not have to have it – but like I started by saying in the post – recovery has been hard.
Rehabilitation has been incredibly slow and at times excruciatingly painful. To move Jacob from the bed to a chair or commode and back can take over an hour. The first time he sat up in bed unassisted took 3 helpers and almost an hour to get him holding up his upper body by himself for a couple minutes. Today’s move to the chair using a slider board, myself holding his leg in a steady position and the physiotherapist helping went really well. Everyone felt so positive, but once we moved him back he experienced the worst pain yet so far – he cried for about 20 minutes as I held his leg up as steady as possible because any shift up or down hurts him so badly. This process will be long. Because Jacob’s remaining thigh is only 8 cm there is little left to power his leg to move. His body has to relearn how to use the calf muscle that has been attached instead of his thigh muscle. His brain also has a lot of relearning to do and new pathways to make. His brain thinks that the entire leg is still there because the nerve was left intact. Jacob often has itches “by his knee” that he cannot scratch because the knee is no longer there. So far there has been no phantom pain, only phantom itches, which we are very thankful for. 
Jacob’s oral blood thinners were changed to twice a day injections for the next 3 months. This complicates chemo a bit more from the drop in platelets that happens from the chemo. Preventing a blood clot is the priority. Many people have asked how long it will be until we go home or until chemo starts again. For now we really have no idea. Recovery is going significantly slower in terms of mobility than we expected. The dressings were removed over the incisions yesterday and he has developed a large blood blister which will also slow healing and can add to complications. The hope will be to get Jacob on his foot next week sometime, but as of today he is unable to do anything more than sit. Jacob is very quiet as he is processing all of this, and has times of being very “down” but overall continues to maintain his good attitude. He has really appreciated the letters coming in, and even received one from someone in Egypt. Thank you again to everyone for your love, concern, care and prayers.
Fight on, Fighter
For King and Country
I was there on the day that you were changed
You were scared, unprepared for the heartbreak
Everything you knew faded out of view
Stole a piece of you
If I could, oh, I would be a hero
Be the one who would take all the arrows
Save you from the pain, carry all the weight
But I know that you’re brave
Fight on, fighter
Don’t let anyone steal your fire
Fight on, fighter
The Spirit is alive in you.
Stronger than you than you ever thought
I know you’re stronger
Braver than you were before
You know you’re braver
Oh, no, you don’t have to be afraid
Together we’ll face it
So don’t ever stop no matter what ’cause you’re gonna make it. 💛
Every Step - Jacob’s fight against osteosarcoma 
Can’t imagine what you all are going through, especially Jacob. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
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Breaks my heart to read this, Such a hard time for you guys and to see him without his beautiful smile is crushing. So thankful there is such thing as the feeding tube to help him get his strength back when he can’t do it himself. Praying for all the complications to go away and that he can get through one day at a time. Love and prayers from Salmon Arm ❤
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U and your family Jacob r constantly on our minds and in our prayers.
May our God grant u all comfort, strength and healing from day to day.
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Thinking of you all and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. May our loving Heavenly Father continue to surround you with healing and patience. God bless Leo & Afke Lodder
On Sun, Oct 14, 2018, 12:20 AM Every Step – Jacob’s fight against osteosarcoma wrote:
> traceybredenhof posted: ” Recovery has been hard. Much harder than Jacob > expected. And much harder than I expected. We were both thankful to move to > Children’s Hospital after a week at VGH. The nurses and doctors were good > at VGH, but there really is no comparison to the care ” >
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I am praying for Jacob. Also for the family. This morning while in a time of prayer I wondered if you may have an update today. Thank you for these. God is the only way to be carried through all of this. Your family is loved.
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We are happy with the move from a motel to Hilton .We saw your folded hands. We will join you That is our comfort. A.Eikelboom
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Thankful for our medical system…especially Children’s Hospital! May God lift you all on wings of an eagle. Prayers continue.
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This is an unbelievably hard path for Jacob and for you all as you live this with him. At times it might be very hard to see how God is working this out for good. One day you will be able to see it more clearly. For now, know that you are being carried by prayer and grace and God’s never failing love and compassion. He provides for you in things like giving you Children’s Hospital, health care professionals who are putting their skills to use for Jacob and so much love and compassion and family, friends and a church community who are praying constantly. Praying that Jacob’s pain will be managed well, and that he will become stronger, that his calf muscle and brain may learn their new jobs quickly and that Jacob and you all may experience the peace that transcends understanding.
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Dear JACOB praying for you thanking GOD for being with Trust in DE 🙏LORD with all your Heart for making every thing well !! 🌷🌷❤️🙏❤️Greetings Mrs & Mr H Wendt !!
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We are praying so hard for you! Keep fighting with God in your heart. Remember God is with you every step of the way!!💙Love Julia
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Jacob and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God draw your family into his protection and care through this time and the years ahead! -Taylor and Rebekah
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Jacob,
Somehow I was added to this blog. I don’t know you, or your family, but you are in my prayers. I’m struck by your bravery and determination. God has you in His hands always and forever, may He give you what you need. XO
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Fight on fighter!
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So happy for you to hear that you are at Children’s Hospital! The new side is quite the treat and so are the private rooms! We talked to our daughter’s surgeon and team during our last visit and the orthopedic clinic has heard of Jacob, we talked about your blog and Joelle’s head nurse practitioner said she knows who he is too. Word gets around in a hospital I guess. We hope and pray that Jacob’s appetite comes back and the pain lessens every day. Wishing you much strength and patience as you battle the moment to moment. Fight on!
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Hey Jacob! (and family)
Praying for you! Remember that God gives his toughest battles to his bravest soldiers!
Fight on fighter!
Love from your cousin across the world,
Abigail
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Happy Jacob is back at childrens. We lift up your needs to God in pray. Press on Jacob and family. ❤❤
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