Jake Reyes Needs YOUR help!

Graphics and layout donated, designed, and maintained by	Jake's Story Jake & His Dad October 14, 2007 Back in October I took Jacob to the doctor because he always seemed tired and looked a little jaundiced. After the doctor listening to Jake's heart, he told us that Jake had a heart murmur and set up an echo cardio at St. Vincent's. About an hour after we got home, we received a call from the doctor - Jake's lab results were in and we needed to get him to St. Vincent's right away - Jake had leukemia. Between waiting on test results and all of the procedures that Jacob had been through, the first week in the hospital was a long one. Then Jacob recieved blood transfusions, platlet transfusions, and had to undergo bone marrow and spinal tap procedures. When Jake came out of surgery, the first thing he said was "Mom, look!" He was pointing to the port that was inserted so that he could recieve chemo fluids and other IV injections. He has been such a big boy and has been doing wonderful taking his medication and going through all of the procedures. In the past three weeks Jacob has been through more than some people experience in their whole lifetime, yet Jake doesn't cry. I have explained to Jacob that he is sick and that everything that will happen is to make him better. Jacob will have a long jouney as his medical plan is 3 1/2 YEARS of treatment. The first 6-9 months are critical because of his low immune system, but that means that he can't attend school or daycare - he's basically home bound. It will be a long journey for our family and I would like to thank everyone for their support and their kind words. Our family thanks you VERY much! -- Jake's Family Shawano Leader Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Mom thankful for support while son undergoes leukemia treatment By Donna Hobscheid, Leader Reporter TOWN OF GREEN VALLEY — Jacob Reyes, 5, sits tucked into a comfortable chair at his home playing video games. He giggles and talks to his mom, Tabatha Reyes, but mostly he is intent on the screen in front of him. Jacob started kindergarten this year at Lincoln Elementary, but in early October he was diagnosed with leukemia. He hasn’t been in school since. After his grandmother had noticed Jacob had been fatigued and a bit jaundiced, Tabatha took him to the doctor. Later that day the phone rang. Dr. Julie Bonnin called to tell her to take him to St. Vincent Hospital right away, where he was admitted. Jacob’s been admitted twice since then. This week he begins a 50-day intensive treatment schedule and will have several more admissions. He will be admitted for chemo treatments two days a week, have more treatments two days a week at the clinic and more at home. Jacob has also endured blood transfusions, a round of steroids and chemo shots in his legs. For every treatment he goes through, Jacob receives a colorful “bravery bead” that Tabatha has on a string for him. Last week that string held about 20 beads. Tabatha is thankful for people who have donated blood and platelets. “They saved his life,” she said. Tabatha has high praise for the hospital and its staff, who work to make the experience as positive and fun as possible. Since his diagnosis, Tabatha has been home from her job at United Health Care in Green Bay to care for him. She said her colleagues, her family and the people from the school and day care Jacob and her two other sons attend have been really supportive. “It’s the people around you who make you stronger,” Tabatha said. The Lincoln students held a penny drive for Jacob and Busy Bee Day Care is selling Pizza Hut coupon books with the proceeds going to him. For information, call the day care center at 715-526-9566. During one of his hospital admissions, his class at Lincoln sent him balloons that Tabatha put up on his hospital window. She said the sun lit up the balloons and the smiley faces drawn on them. Tabatha also has appreciated the many warm words and offers of help she has received. She’s trying to make sure her other sons — Jeremiah, 9, and James, 7, who has autism — do not feel neglected, but said they are handling it well. She has been impressed with the way they look after Jacob. “They worry about him and take care of him,” Tabatha said. Jacob can’t leave the house without a face mask on to protect him from germs and if his family gets sick they have to wear one around him. Jacob’s oncologist has told her the type of leukemia he has is 94 percent curable and he probably will not need a bone marrow transplant. He will have six months of heavy treatment and then three months of maintenance treatment. After that he will be tested frequently to make sure the cancer does not return. He is eligible to have a wish granted by the Make a Wish Foundation, but will have to wait until he is well enough to go someplace. He has said he would like to go Walt Disney World or meet President Bush, but Tabatha said his first choice was to go to Chuck E Cheese. A fund has been set up at Community Bank Financial to help with Jacob’s medical expenses. Anyone wanting to donate can send a check payable to the bank, 200 Golfview Road, Cecil. Put “For Jacob Reyes” in the memo line of the check.

Graphics and layout donated, designed, and maintained by

Jake & His Dad
October 14, 2007

Back in October I took Jacob to the doctor because he always seemed tired and looked a little jaundiced. After the doctor listening to Jake's heart, he told us that Jake had a heart murmur and set up an echo cardio at St. Vincent's.

About an hour after we got home, we received a call from the doctor - Jake's lab results were in and we needed to get him to St. Vincent's right away - Jake had leukemia.

Between waiting on test results and all of the procedures that Jacob had been through, the first week in the hospital was a long one. Then Jacob recieved blood transfusions, platlet transfusions, and had to undergo bone marrow and spinal tap procedures.

When Jake came out of surgery, the first thing he said was "Mom, look!" He was pointing to the port that was inserted so that he could recieve chemo fluids and other IV injections.

He has been such a big boy and has been doing wonderful taking his medication and going through all of the procedures.

In the past three weeks Jacob has been through more than some people experience in their whole lifetime, yet Jake doesn't cry. I have explained to Jacob that he is sick and that everything that will happen is to make him better.

Jacob will have a long jouney as his medical plan is 3 1/2 YEARS of treatment. The first 6-9 months are critical because of his low immune system, but that means that he can't attend school or daycare - he's basically home bound.

It will be a long journey for our family and I would like to thank everyone for their support and their kind words. Our family thanks you VERY much!

-- Jake's Family

Shawano Leader
Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Mom thankful for support while son undergoes leukemia treatment
By Donna Hobscheid, Leader Reporter

TOWN OF GREEN VALLEY — Jacob Reyes, 5, sits tucked into a comfortable chair at his home playing video games.

He giggles and talks to his mom, Tabatha Reyes, but mostly he is intent on the screen in front of him.

Jacob started kindergarten this year at Lincoln Elementary, but in early October he was diagnosed with leukemia. He hasn’t been in school since.

After his grandmother had noticed Jacob had been fatigued and a bit jaundiced, Tabatha took him to the doctor.

Later that day the phone rang. Dr. Julie Bonnin called to tell her to take him to St. Vincent Hospital right away, where he was admitted. Jacob’s been admitted twice since then.

This week he begins a 50-day intensive treatment schedule and will have several more admissions. He will be admitted for chemo treatments two days a week, have more treatments two days a week at the clinic and more at home.

Jacob has also endured blood transfusions, a round of steroids and chemo shots in his legs. For every treatment he goes through, Jacob receives a colorful “bravery bead” that Tabatha has on a string for him. Last week that string held about 20 beads.

Tabatha is thankful for people who have donated blood and platelets.

“They saved his life,” she said.

Tabatha has high praise for the hospital and its staff, who work to make the experience as positive and fun as possible.

Since his diagnosis, Tabatha has been home from her job at United Health Care in Green Bay to care for him. She said her colleagues, her family and the people from the school and day care Jacob and her two other sons attend have been really supportive.

“It’s the people around you who make you stronger,” Tabatha said.

The Lincoln students held a penny drive for Jacob and Busy Bee Day Care is selling Pizza Hut coupon books with the proceeds going to him. For information, call the day care center at 715-526-9566.

During one of his hospital admissions, his class at Lincoln sent him balloons that Tabatha put up on his hospital window. She said the sun lit up the balloons and the smiley faces drawn on them.

Tabatha also has appreciated the many warm words and offers of help she has received.

She’s trying to make sure her other sons — Jeremiah, 9, and James, 7, who has autism — do not feel neglected, but said they are handling it well. She has been impressed with the way they look after Jacob.

“They worry about him and take care of him,” Tabatha said.

Jacob can’t leave the house without a face mask on to protect him from germs and if his family gets sick they have to wear one around him. Jacob’s oncologist has told her the type of leukemia he has is 94 percent curable and he probably will not need a bone marrow transplant. He will have six months of heavy treatment and then three months of maintenance treatment. After that he will be tested frequently to make sure the cancer does not return.

He is eligible to have a wish granted by the Make a Wish Foundation, but will have to wait until he is well enough to go someplace. He has said he would like to go Walt Disney World or meet President Bush, but Tabatha said his first choice was to go to Chuck E Cheese.

A fund has been set up at Community Bank Financial to help with Jacob’s medical expenses. Anyone wanting to donate can send a check payable to the bank, 200 Golfview Road, Cecil. Put “For Jacob Reyes” in the memo line of the check.