Oologah Meningitis Victim Has Third Surgery In Last Four Days

NewsOn6.com

OOLOGAH, OK -- The Oologah child who has captured Oklahoma's hearts has made it through his third surgery in the last four days.

Jeremiah Mitchell has been in the hospital for the last three weeks from bacterial meningitis. Last week, surgeons were forced to amputate his arms and legs, to save his life.

Jeremiah's now staying at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati. He's there for several rounds of skin grafts on his face and nubs, and reconstructive surgery on his face. 

During Friday's surgery, doctors used cadaver skin to form a temporary graft over Jeremiah's nubs. 

The News On 6 spent several days in Cincinnati this week with the Mitchell family.

4/1/2010  Related Story: Family Waits As Oologah Meningitis Victim Undergoes Surgery In Ohio

Jeremiah's family says it breaks their hearts to see their little boy in such a condition.

"This is a disease that knocks you down on your knees and takes the wind out of you and takes away your baby," said Gidget Mitchell, Jeremiah's grandmother.

Jeremiah will stay at the Shriners Hospital for Children for the next three months.

How To Help Jeremiah's Family

The family is requesting that Walmart gift cards be sent to them in Cincinnati to help them take care of basic needs.

Gift cards can be sent to:

• Shriners Hospital for Children
  c/o Jeremiah Mitchell
  3229 Burnet Avenue
  Cincinnati, OH 45229

A fund has also been set up for the Mitchell family at Lakeside State Bank in Oologah. Call (918) 443-2474 to donate or mail donations to:

• Jeremiah Mitchell Fund
  c/o Lakeside State Bank
  Box 190
  Oologah, OK 74053