Posted on 02/21/2006 12:15:43 PM PST by Sopater
POSTED: 12:01 am PST February 21, 2006 UPDATED: 9:25 am PST February 21, 2006
SEATTLE -- A 6-year-old Bellingham boy is fighting to survive a deadly infection that's killing the tissue in his face.
Jake Finkbonner has necrotizing faciitis, a ravaging bacteria.
Finkbonner was airlifted from Bellingham to Children's Hospital a week ago. He's had three surgeries so far to try to save his life.
The problem started when the boy received a fat lip from a fall at a basketball game.
Jake's father, Donny Finkbonner, said surgeons worked on his son the night he was brought to Children's Hospital in Seattle. "We wanted the truth from the surgeons and they said we’re operating on him to save his life," said Finkbonner.
The boy’s family members said the bacteria were consuming him before their eyes. "He didn’t have any facial features that were identifiable as my little boy," said Elsa Finkbonner, Jake's mother.
Antibiotics wouldn't stop the infection from spreading so surgeons had to cut out the infected tissue.
HOW TO HELP A spaghetti dinner fundraiser is being held for Jake's medical care on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Ferndale High School Cafeteria.
Elsa Finkbonner said their faith is giving them strength. "Our son's life is in God’s hands, and it’s out of our control. We just ask for more prayers."
Doctors are making sure they remove all of the bacteria.
The boy is expected to need extensive plastic surgery.
You're proposing a guaranteed disaster. No thanks.
I lift this child up to Jesus, and also I lift up his physicians and nurses up to God. Father, give them the guidance to stop this horrible disease!
Evergreen State ping
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
Hey there...anymore updates on this little guy?
I am going to go do a search on it!
BRB
Benefit For Boy With Rare Infection Draws Hundreds
February 24, 2006
By Kevin Reece
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FERNDALE - Jake Finkbonner spent his 6th birthday in the hospital fighting for his life. Friday night in Ferndale his hometown joined in that fight with him.
Jake has a rare and often deadly infection. A cut on his lip became infected with Type-A strep, the same bacteria that causes strep throat. But the Ferndale kindergartner's infection quickly became a fast-spreading case of necrotizing fasciitis sometimes called flesh-eating bacteria.
The bacteria gives off deadly toxins, the skin and soft tissue are slowly eaten away, and his own body's attempt to fight the infection produces severe swelling which can damage even more tissue.
To save his life, doctors have to remove the damaged tissue on his face, head, and neck to stave off the infection's constant advance. His fight is hour by hour, day by day.
"At this hour our little Jake is still with us and every day that we are given with Jake is a celebration of life." That was part of message from Jake's parents read by their Catholic priest Friday night.
He read that message to more than 600 people who crowded into the Ferndale High School cafeteria to give their prayers, and their money, to the Finkbonner family. Jake's picture was placed on every table in a cafeteria filled mostly with people he's never met.
"I think whether you know the family or you don't people want to help," said family friend Kendra Cristelli.
The cafeteria hosted a spaghetti dinner. With food donated and catered by local businesses, an overflow crowd feasted after filling a donation box: money for Jake's lengthy and expensive fight.
Jake remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital in Seattle. He is heavily sedated and is undergoing daily surgeries as doctors try to prevent the bacteria from spreading.
Part of his treatment includes hours spent in the hyperbaric chamber at Virginia Mason in Seattle. That alone can cost as much as $7,000 a day.
"It's an incredible comfort to know that there are people that are pulling for you, praying for you, and that's the big thing," said Jake's aunt, JoAnn Bellefeuille.
"Knowing that down the road that Jake is accepted by this group no matter how he looks or what the problems are that he faces that this group of people will be there to support him and catch him...and love him," said his aunt, Mary Cardoza.
And at the back of the cafeteria these several hundred new friends and supporters signed posters and get well cars for the 6-year-old.
They also sang a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Jake spent his 6th birthday in the hospital and never got to hear it. Now his hometown is praying that a year from now they'll get to sing it to him again.
"He's our Jakie and and we don't want to let him go," said Cardoza. "He has a life to live and and it is wonderful that it can be in this community because these people will help him live that life well."
A second benefit is planned for Sunday night in the Ferndale High School auditorium. Ticket sales for the event featuring comedian Ryan Stiles have already raised an additional $12,000.
If you would like to help, the family has set up a fund for Jake. Anyone can make donations to the "Jacob Finkbonner Fund" at any Wells Fargo branch or any Industrial Credit Union.
Ping to #66
From post #66. THANKS M0sby...that picture of Jake is heartwrenching.
Isn't it though??
I wish I could get a feeling about if they think that he will pull through.
I am praying though..
Thanks for using your magic list.
Prayers continue for Jake.
What a nightmare for any parent to face. :-(
Poor little kid. What a cutie! 
ping for the little guy!
Thank you for the update, BG...
Just reading what the doctors are having to do breaks my heart for the parents and all that know him...and the poor little guy is having to fight so hard, what a fighter he must be.
God Bless Jake and his family...a bring the quick healing that is necessary to save his life..
sleuth
There's lots of good, praying, Godly people on that list, aren't there?
Is this 'FEB' suddenly coming awake in this country. . .always been here; but never been a problem until recently or 'what'?
Are our children receiving so many anti-biotics or immunizations that might ultimately be compromising their immune systems. . or again. . .'what'?
I will pray for Jake; for his parents and all his family and for those who know and love him.
. . .and while no promises are made for life to be fair. . .this is just pathetic.
"There's lots of good, praying, Godly people on that list, aren't there?"
I am always so thankful for you..and for them!!!
My prayers continue for little Jake.
Also, it looks like Candace is not out of the woods yet. Read an update of her story at this website:
http://www.candacejoy.org/
Bump for both Jake and Candace.
BTTT
Praying for Candace too!
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