Sinus infection turns life-threatening for Thompson Falls teen
Mar. 10—When Amber and Rob Hall's son Jacob came down with a sinus infection on Feb. 21, they gave him the routine home remedies. What they couldn't have predicted was that one week later, the Thompson Falls teen would be undergoing emergency brain surgery.
"He's a phenomenal, phenomenal kid. He just amazes me each and every day, even here (at the hospital) he amazes me," Amber said at Logan Health Children's hospital.
After the home remedies of a sinus flush and cold medicine, Amber took Jacob to the doctor that next Monday, Feb. 26, where he was prescribed antibiotics. The next day he had a weigh-in for a wrestling tournament that showed he had lost 10 pounds.
"We gave him some crap, like 'Oh, you're losing weight because you want to drop in weight class so you can wrestle smaller people,' but one thing led to another and he didn't eat that night," Amber said.
Intracranial extension of acute or chronic sinusitis is rare among people who get a sinus infection. According to a 2022 article published in the Therapeutic Advances in Allergy and Rhinology Journal, these kinds of complications from sinus infections have become less common owing to improved antibiotic therapies, radiological diagnostic methods and surgical techniques and skills.
Still, complications like what 13-year-old Jacob is experiencing can become life-threatening.
After the weigh-in, the couple followed their gut taking Jacob to the emergency room. Soon after, a CT scan revealed an abscess on his brain. The sinus infection had spread, causing meningitis and blood clots.
He was flown to Logan Health Children's hospital in Kalispell the next day for emergency surgery and then would need a second brain surgery that night. On Friday he was headed in for a third brain surgery.
"We didn't know what to do or anything. So, we just got the truck with the clothes on our back and came up here, and we haven't left," Amber said.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for Jacob's medical expenses, Logan Health Children's staff expect his recovery to require a two-to three-week hospitalization. This will be followed by a daily dose of IV antibiotics for an undetermined amount of time. All in all, Jacob is expected to take up to six months to fully recover.
The family is taking it one day at a time. The ups and downs of Jacob's condition have kept hospital staff on their toes, Rob said. When the couple spoke to the Daily Inter Lake on Tuesday, their son was suffering from frontal lobe seizures.
"Day-by-day and hour-by-hour. They start out in one direction, he'll be doing good and up and talking. Then all of a sudden, he's just gone, and they're going 'Holy crap, what do we do now? What's causing that?' It's just been just all over the place," Rob said.
The ordeal has also affected Jacob's short-term memory, so they ask him questions to try to get him thinking again. Amber said every day they have a game plan for Jacob.
"We have a goal, like our goal is for him to get in the shower tomorrow. He's been wanting to shower. That's what he's been saying, so let's work toward that goal," she said.
The couple has been impressed with the staff at Logan Health Children's hospital. Amber said they are always providing updates on what is happening with Jacob, taking the time to explain his condition in clearer terms for people who aren't familiar with medical jargon.
"And then my sister is a pediatric nurse in Detroit. So, she has really helped us understand a lot of things, because I don't want to be a burden to them (the staff) and keep asking the same question over and over," Amber said.
Jacob's parents describe him as a "great, hard-working kid." He is an active member of his middle school wrestling team and loves other sports like football and basketball. He is a fan of derby racing and was able to place first in the youth division at the fair this past summer. In addition, he's into farming and is always willing to help take care of his family's pigs, cows, chickens and ducks.
He has one older brother and two younger brothers, who Amber said remain at home in Thompson Falls with grandparents while they stay at the hospital in Kalispell. His siblings are very worried and call frequently to ask how Jacob is doing.
"He's always the tough big brother. They always go to him for advice and help. And you know, he now might have to turn back and ask them for help," Amber said.
According to the GoFundMe page, Rob works as a logger and Amber as a server. The two have said they will have to continue to take off work until Jacob comes home. Amber said she is planning on taking the entire summer off of work to care for him, with Rob planning to return to logging on a Monday through Friday schedule once Jacob is stable.
The family has a daunting road ahead of them, but they say that family, friends and community members have shown up to support them in many different ways. Rob said some people have even come together to donate an electric recliner for Jacob, who might have limited mobility during recovery.
"Amber's friend set up his GoFundMe, my parents stepped in with our animals and stuff and have taken care of that. The leaders of the wrestling club are taking care of the house stuff for us and the church stepped in and they're helping out with stuff in the community that we do," Rob said.
Amber, who is originally from Kalispell, said her family has shown up to take care of their laundry, cook them meals and more.
"We're so independent. We're like, 'No, we can do it. We can figure it out.' They're like, 'Just accept it for once.' And it's just hard for us to accept it," Amber said.
Rob said Jacob's school has also been helpful. One of the 13-year-old's primary concerns was that his illness will cause him to be held back a grade. But, school officials have told Rob and Amber that they will work to ensure that doesn't happen, offering to come to their house for homeschooling and giving him the option to make up work during the summertime.
"Everybody who talks to him knows how amazing he is," Rob said. "Which is cool as a dad, but no one wants to be in a situation like this."
Jacob's GoFundMe is titled "Rob and Amber Hall need our help #JAKESTRONG" and has raised more than $13,000 so far for the family. His page can be found by typing in the link: gofund.me/5f529b6e
Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.
Jacob Hall sits in his first place winning derby car. (photo provided)
