08/14/2026 Hospital Follow‑Up Appointment at Dunbar Medical

 08/14/2026

Today we had our hospital follow‑up appointment with Dr. Trump at Dunbar Medical, and it was exactly the kind of visit we needed. He examined Jacob thoroughly and walked us through several recommendations based on the concerns raised during his hospital stay.

One of the biggest takeaways: we are now convinced Jacob did not actually have pneumonia. The hospital bundled together a handful of worst‑case‑scenario infections and treated him with a barrage of antibiotics to wipe out anything that might have been present. While we’re grateful they were cautious, it’s clear now that Jacob’s lungs were not the issue.

Dr. Trump was very encouraged by Jacob’s vitals. He believes the high triglycerides were caused by the infection and the DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) that happened when Jacob’s blood sugar skyrocketed the night he was admitted. With those issues resolving, Jacob’s numbers and overall stability look much better.

A huge blessing last week: Dr. Trump was able to get Jacob approved for the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. This means no more constant finger pricks — something Jacob’s poor hands desperately need a break from.

He does want to run some follow‑up blood work in about a week, just to make sure everything continues trending in the right direction. But overall, he feels very good about Jacob’s current health and the direction things are heading.

Step by step, Jacob is getting stronger — and today was another encouraging move forward.

08/12/2026 Marshall Health Endocrinologist

08/12/2026

Today we had our appointment with the endocrinologist at Marshall Health, and it was a really productive visit. We met with Lacy and Cindy, who were both incredibly kind and thorough. Cindy evaluated Jacob and made an important change to his diabetes management: she has taken him off the sliding insulin scale. Instead, Jacob will now receive his insulin 15 minutes before each meal, which should help his numbers stay steadier throughout the day.

They also adjusted his feeding schedule. Jacob will now have four meals a day instead of three. It’s the same total amount of formula he’s always had—just divided into an extra feeding to help his body process everything more smoothly.

When we first started this new insulin schedule, Jacob was receiving 7 units. Over the last three days, we’ve gradually increased that to 12 units. His glucose levels have been ranging from 130 to 255, and we’re working hard to keep him under 250 as his body adjusts. This period is known as the honeymoon phase, where his system is learning this new routine and settling into a more stable insulin pattern.

Every day brings new information, new adjustments, and new hope. We’re grateful for the team at Marshall Health and for all of you who continue to pray, support, and walk alongside us. Jacob is strong, resilient, and adapting beautifully—and we’re right there with him, learning as we go.

08/08/2026 WHEELIN' FOR ALS 2026 - Our Biggest Year Yet

 08/08/2026

Wheelin’ for ALS 2026 — Our Biggest Year Yet

This year’s ride was our biggest year yet, and our hearts are overflowing. We raised over $30,000 for ALS, all of which went directly to Racing for ALS. They’ll distribute every dollar as patient assistance funds and grants to families walking the same road Jacob is on. Knowing the impact this will have makes every mile worth it.

Jacob had an absolutely wonderful time, and the day was made even more special when Scott Lloyd rolled in with his Hendrick racecar for the sendoff. Everyone loved it — it was a moment none of us will forget.

The last few days of rain turned the trail into a super fun off‑road adventure, and riders were already saying they can’t wait for next year. The joy, the laughter, the mud — it all came together perfectly.

We are overwhelmed by the generosity and love our community and church continue to show Jacob and those living with this disease. Your kindness keeps us going.

All this… and Heaven too. God is good.

08/05/2026 Heading Home from ICU

08/05/2026

Jacob is finally headed home from the hospital. What began as an absolute nightmare was brought under control within the first 24 hours, and we are so grateful. The hospital allowed both Barb and me to stay with him in the ICU, which meant we could care for him exactly the way we do at home. That made all the difference.

Jacob is now officially a Type II diabetic, and he’ll be on an insulin regimen until we can meet with endocrinology on August 25. Even with all of this, he feels great and is more than ready to get back home.

God has carried us through another storm, and we are thankful for every prayer, every message, and every bit of love you’ve sent our way. We’ll keep you updated as we move into this next chapter.

08/03/2026 Getting Better

 08/03/2026 

UPDATE ON JACOB 8/03

We serve a mighty God, and He is still at work!

The hospital has officially changed Jacob’s diet, and he is now on a diabetic formula for his feedings. Since Friday, he has been off all of his normal medications — and every one of his vitals has come down into a perfect range. This alone has us believing that some of the meds he was on may not have been helping, and may have even been causing more harm than good.

His blood sugar has stayed below 200, ranging from 143 to 181, and the team is working to find the right insulin level to keep him stable. But we are absolutely heading in the right direction.

08/02/2026 Diabetes?

 08/02/2026

The past few days have brought news we never expected, and we’re still trying to catch our breath.

The hospital has determined that Jacob has a slight pseudomonas infection in his tracheostomy, along with MRSA. On top of that, we learned he is now an insulin‑independent diabetic. This diagnosis came as a complete shock. It felt like it appeared out of nowhere — but his blood sugar told the story. It climbed all the way to 800, when a normal range is 70 to 99. He was in a very dangerous place, and we are grateful he was already in the hospital when this happened.

We are still in the ICU, and according to the doctor, Jacob will not be moving to a step‑down unit. When he is discharged from ICU, we will go straight home. That alone tells you how carefully they’re watching him and how much support he’ll need once we leave.

Jacob is going to be on a significant amount of insulin. Even his formula from Kate Farms contains more sugar than his body can handle right now, and every feeding causes his levels to spike. We’re working closely with the team to figure out what adjustments need to be made so he can stay stable.

But here’s the part that feels almost unbelievable:

In spite of the infections and the diabetes, Jacob actually feels very good. And I can only imagine how much better he will feel once they get his insulin dialed in and his diet corrected so his levels stay in a normal range again.

Looking back over the last three weeks, the signs were there — extreme thirst, constant urination, and symptoms that were becoming harder and harder to keep up with. These are classic signs of diabetes onset. But when you’re caring for a 27‑year‑old young man with ALS, diabetes is not the first thing you think of. Once again, hindsight makes everything clearer.

It’s been a lot to take in — infection, MRSA, diabetes, ICU, new routines, new risks — all at once. But Jacob is fighting, and we are right beside him. We’re leaning on God’s grace, the skill of his medical team, and the strength that has carried us through every chapter so far.

One step at a time. One breath at a time. And as always, thank you for lifting Jacob up in prayer.

07/31/2026 Hospital Bound

 07/31/2026

Today, Friday, July 31, turned into one of the hardest days we’ve faced in a long time.

Jacob woke up seeming fine, just like any other morning. But by 2:30 in the afternoon, everything changed. He stopped responding — no knee movement, no reaction to my questions, nothing. At first, I assumed he was just having trouble moving his leg, so I fed him as usual. Our friend Randy visited for a while, and we watched TV through the afternoon, hoping he’d perk up.

But as the evening went on, my wife and I grew more and more concerned. No matter what we tried — even things that would normally make him cry — Jacob just stared off into space, completely unresponsive. It was like he wasn’t even with us.

We called our friend Mark Toole, who is an RN. Mark came right over and checked all of Jacob’s vitals. Everything looked okay on paper, but the lack of any response was too serious to ignore. At 8:30 PM, we called 911. The ambulance arrived before I even hung up the phone.

The paramedics worked on Jacob in our driveway for a long time and determined he was septic. He was rushed to CAMC Hospital, where he went through a battery of tests — bloodwork, urinalysis, CT scan, chest X‑rays, and more.

At 2:00 AM, Jacob was admitted to the ICU.

He is still unresponsive.

Doctors have confirmed pneumonia and a severe infection they are still trying to pinpoint. His white blood cell count is extremely high, and he is septic. He is also in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), likely triggered by the infection.

We are exhausted, scared, and praying without ceasing.