Brandon Twp.- Less than two months ago, Jmay Jacobs gave her son life? for the second time.
Jerry Jacobs was born healthy Nov. 18, 1986 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pontiac to Jmay and Jon Jacobs. But 15 years later, a sports physical gave the first sign his health had gone awry. His creatine levels were too high. Further testing revealed he had Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disease that affects kidney function by attacking the glomeruli, the tiny units within the kidney where blood is cleaned. Glomerulosclerosis (gloh-MAIR-yoo-loh-skleh-ROH-sis) describes the scarring or hardening of the tiny blood vessels within the kidney (http://www.nephcure.org/Info_aboutfsgs.html). As in Jerry’s case, it is often unknown what causes the disease.
Jacobs was put on medication to try and control it, but then found out he was in complete kidney failure. He began peritoneal dialysis in 2005 and went on a transplant list.
But after a year of dialysis, he would wait no more. His mother gave him one of her kidneys in a transplant on June 21 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
‘At first I didn’t want to take it,? says Jerry. ‘I thought it would be bad for her. But it grows to accomodate the loss of the other (kidney).?
‘There was no hesitation at all,? says Jmay. ‘I did something that needed to be done. Most parents would do anything for their child.?
When Jerry came out of surgery, his family, which includes brother Mike, 20, noticed an immediate change in his appearance. His eyes were clear, he had color in his skin. Jmay cried at the difference and Jerry realized how sick he had been before the transplant.
‘Before I thought I felt good, but I was tired,? says Jerry, a 2004 Brandon High School graduate. ‘I would wake up and my eyes and legs were puffy and I was pale. You don’t realize how bad you feel until you have surgery and feel good again.?
Jon Jacobs calls his wife a hero, but Jmay sees it differently.
‘I’m just glad Jerry is back on his feet,? says the waitress who hopes to return to work at Country Coney in Oxford later this month. ‘It was heartwrenching to watch him go through what he did.?
Both Jmay and Jerry are doing well and Jerry plans to go back to school soon, pursuing a liberal arts degree at Oakland Community College and taking advantage of the gift his mother has given him for a second time? life.