17 ounces at birth, scrappy Eustis baby defying odds

my thoughts and prayers are with you family. Never give up hope.

We at Family Bible Church are all behind you Little Jack - one day we'll call you "Big Jack!"

Everyone please note that 801 E Orange Ave is the physical address for the church and that all mail should be sent to P.O. Box 840, Eustis, FL 32727. See the church website for more info - www.fambible.org

Thank you for supporting the Otrembas!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and little Jack, he's obviously a little fighter!!!

Thank you so much for the excellent article on Baby Jack! He truly is a little miracle and we know God has a special plan for him. I've already been receiving calls of strangers who now feel they are part of his story (thanks to your article) and are wanting to contribute to help Chris and Sharon. Thanks for a truly great article! Vangie Berry

As the grandmother of a premature, 1 pound-3 ounce boy, I certainly understand the emotional roller coaster your family is going through. Seven months in NICU and over $3 million dollars later, our boy is now 13 months old, weighing in at almost 14 pounds. Don't ever give up! If you have access to the internet, try posting Baby Jack's story on www.caringbridge.org - it will keep everyone posted on how he's doing and what we can do to help the family. God bless the Otrembas family.

When I opened the paper this morning, the page w/ your story literally fell out. What timing! Dear friends are in labor (at the same hospital) as we speak - at 23 wks preg w/ twins. Your story is inspiring and will offer hope to everyone in your situation. We stand with you in prayer for Baby Jack, your family, and all the medical staff. Know that he in he hands of the GREAT PHYSICIAN and always, always, always remember that WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I hope that your son continues to put up such a valiant fight and that you keep your faith that your son is going to be just fine. My heart goes out to you in your time of need. I also had pre-eclampsia, but my baby made it to 35 weeks before I had to deliver. She is now a happy healthy 2 year old and I wish the same for you!

God bless you all!

Chris and Sharon, our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Go JD go!

Keep fighting Jack, you are truly a miracle. Hang in there Mommy and Daddy.

This little guy sounds like he's gonna make it...he just needs some more time to grow, that's all. Good luck and Bless you Jack, your mom and dad, and all the wonderful doctors and nurses who are caring for you.

As a 2x preeclampsia survivor (one baby didn't make it; the next one did) and the immediate past president of the Preeclampsia Foundation, I know all too well the tragedy that this dangerous disorder of pregnancy can wreak on a family. There is no explanation nor a cure for preeclampsia, one of the oldest health issues on record, and the leading known cause of prematurity. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they struggle through this.

my heart goes out to any family who is blessed with a miracle. Our son was 28 weeks and the size of a 24 week, 2 lbs 4 oz 14 inches long. Unilateral cleft lip and cleft palate added to his already tiny body who couldnt breath on his own.Our miracle spent 3 months in NICU and several years with the lung problems along with being a preemie. 12 surgeries later Today our son is 15 years old in high school doing ROTC and planning his future.What an awesome gift of a miracle baby can give hope to everyone around them. GOOD LUCK!

one of my grandchildren was premie for the same reason. I want to say everyone who worked in the NICU were absolute angels. They were amazing with these children. God bless you and Jack. May you have the same results we did. Mine grandchild is alive and well and almost 8 now.

Just a few years ago, babies born this small were written off as hopeless and simply allowed to die in their mother's arms.

Although advances in medical technology can often save these babies, it is often at a very high cost. The child could have permanent damage, blindness, mental impairment, learning disabilities, etc.

But those major problems become very minor, when compared to losing a child.

Good luck to this tiny scrapper...he does have a purpose in life, and I’m sure he’ll find it.

Our friends babies were born today, at 23 wks. They are in the same unit as "Baby Jack." We ask you all for your prayers as well. We know that God holds each of these tiny miracles in the palm of His hand.

PSALM 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me
were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Baby Jack! We are praying for you! You are such a strong little guy, you have already shown that what seems impossible with man is very possible with God! We have such faith that you will continue to strive and grow and become the very person God has ordained you to be. You also have been blessed with a fantastic mother!

How is he doing?

Hi my thoughts and prayers are with you and baby Jack. My daughter Rylee was born at 25 weeks last year weighing 1lb 3 oz. She spent 123 days in NICU at Florida South in Orlando and came home in June. You may have seen her on posters for March for Babies since she is the ambassador baby for Lake and Sumter County. I know it will be a long hard road for you, but you will make it. It sometimes seems like you will never see the day Jack comes home, but he will come home with you. The biggest thing I can say is do Kangaroo Care. The hospital will know what that is and it is the greatest thing for the little babies. I was unable to hold Rylee until she was 10 days old and I could only hold her for an hour. Then I had to wait longer for the second time. May God be with you at this time. There is also a great website called Carepages.com that I have been using since Rylee was born.

Our friends twins are 1 wk old today! Baby Jack has been an inspiration to our friends, and a little neighbor/buddy to the boys. Keep fighting Jack, your little friends will too!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Good Luck and I hope everything is going well!