FOX News TV Interview!!

Hi everyone!!

A few weeks ago medical reporter Angela Caraway from WSVN Fox News in Miami came to my home and filmed an update on my life-saving treatment in Mexico and my amazing recovery!! It is an update to the original "Counting on a Coma" report that was done before I left to undergo the Ketamine Coma.

"Jessica's Journey" aired last night in Miami, and will be airing locally this week (Florida) and hopefully nationally, very soon!

As you can imagine, it was incredibly hard to tell a 2.5 year story in only a 4 minute news segment, but they did a wonderful job editing, and I am very happy with the result!

I truly hope it will increase awareness of RSD, and to anyone else suffering with this...There is HOPE!

Here is the link:

http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/specialreport/MI94660/jessica-s-journey/

Let me know what you think :)

God bless!

Love, Jessica

"...For NOTHING is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

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My amazing journey continues- My video update with Dr. K!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share this positive update with you all!

This past week we drove up to Tampa to see Dr. Kirkpatrick, who is the director of the RSD/CRPS Treatment Center & Research Institute. He is the doctor who originally evaluated me back in July 2009 before going to Mexico.

At that time, I was 21 years old and I was near death. I had skin lesions covering my entire body, I was being fed thru a feeding tube, I could not sit up or move my legs. RSD/CRPS had invaded every part of my body and I was in horrendous burning pain, all of the time,

I had no hope, and we had been told by many doctors that there was no treatment that could save me.

Dr. Kirkpatrick restored our hope that day by telling us that he was going to send me to Monterrey Mexico to be a part of the Ketamine coma study. My very last hope for survival.

2 weeks later I went to Monterrey, where due to many twists and turns, I stayed for 2.5 years.

Needless to say, Dr. Kirkpatrick was very shocked to see me now! He didn’t even recognize me! – without any sunglasses, or headphones, sitting up, without lesions or feeding tubes… and about 30 pounds heavier! He was very happy!

Dr. K's 'ladies' (Karen, Mary & Sanela) were also very excited and happy to see me doing so well!

My mom presented Dr. K with his very own “Ketamine bear”, a tradition she began in Mexico, making them for all the other coma patients we met in the hospital!

He loved it!

It’s just a small way of showing our appreciation for the chance that he gave me by sending me to Monterrey to be treated by the incredible Dr. Cantu, whose dedication to my recovery made this a reality!

Through my illness, I have been blessed to experience so many miracles, of various types—but among them all, being led to Dr. Cantu "Dr. Green Shirt" ranks most highly on that list!

He is my hero, my angel and my ‘mexican godfather’. :)

(Be sure to see my special message to Dr. Green Shirt at the end of my 'part 2' video! :)

Dr. Kirkpatrick, thank you for your continued dedication to research for RSD/CRPS and for being a doctor who is willing to treat ‘out of the box’ patients, like myself… even if it means using ‘experimental’ treatments, outside of the country, to restore our hope and give us a future.

The treatment and care that I received with Dr. Cantu in Mexico saved my life, and I am so thankful to every doctor who cared for me and kept me alive long enough so that I could have the chance to be a part of this research study, which for me, was life-saving!

As part of the Ketamine Coma research study, Dr. Kirkpatrick puts together videos of each patient, to provide education about RSD/CRPS and to show the progression of the disease before and after the coma study.

These are my videos. Part 1 is from July 2009, before going to Mexico. Part 2 is from last week!

VIDEOS

View Jessica's Remarkable Recovery in 2-Part Video

Part 1- Pre-Coma Evaluation

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/jessica1.htm

Part 2- Clinical Outcome

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/jessica2.htm

"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~

I am forever thankful to everyone who has been a part of my hope for the future!

MUCHAS GRACIAS!! Que Dios te bendiga siempre!!

In God's love,

Jessica

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Upcoming "Celebration of LIFE" Fundraiser!!

Hello everyone!

Our dear friend Nancy and the amazing ladies of "Team Jessica" have organized another big fundraiser on March 9th, in Marco Island, Florida!

We are so humbled and so thankful for our amazing friends, in both Florida and New York, who continue to help us and support us in so many ways. Jessica continues to do very well, thanks to all of the love, and overwhelming support that she continues to receive to enable her to keep moving forward with her treatments and recovery.

We are forever grateful to you all for making this recovery possible!

Jessica and our entire family hope to see you at her "Celebration of Life" fundraiser and we are excited to be able to show you, in person, just how great she is doing!


In God's love,
Sarah Gina

What FAITH, HOPE & LOVE can do! "A Miracle in the Making!"

Hosted by: Marco Lutheran Church Board of Outreach Celebration of Life! Jessica's Miraculous Journey Fundraiser Save the date: Friday, March 9th 11AM-1PM

Many of you have been following the journey that Jessica Stevens, and her family, have been on for the past 6 years in her fight for life. Her illness began with a tick bite and subsequent infection with Lyme disease, and later developed into a full blown case of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and unimaginable pain!! 3 years ago Jessica's condition became so critical that her parents were told by doctors in the US that she was near death. Out of desperation, her very last hope to live was to become part of an experimental research study. She went by air ambulance to Monterrey Mexico in hopes of a lifesaving treatment. The journey that was expected to be a few months of treatment ended up being a 2.5 year roller coaster filled with many twists and turns. Through it all Jessica never gave up hope or her faith that God would bring her though this.....And HE DID!!!!! Recently, Jessica and her mother were finally able to return home from Mexico! Jessica and her mother have documented her journey in a short movie and it will be shown at this fundraiser! We invite you to come and share in her Celebration of Life! Please join us as we gather to cheer the Stevens family on and help offset the extravagant cost of her treatment. When we did the fundraiser 3 years ago everyone said, "We need to do more and invite more people to help." Thank you in advance for helping ease some stress of the financial burden and show God how grateful we are to experience this MIRACLE in the making! Jessica's treatments continue and she draws strength from our support and prayers and love. Please share this invite with your friends and MAKE JESSICA'S DAY!! Thank you in advance! Team Jessica http://hopeforjessica.blogspot.com/ Additional Donations: Can be made online: http://bit.ly/JessicasJourneySavingsClub or, Please mail to: 14505 Indigo Lakes Blvd Naples, FL 34119 Make Checks Payable to: Jessica's Journey Savings Club Thank you all so very much!!! Service Opportunity We need extra hands in orchestrating the luncheon and spreading the word, so please... contact Nancy if you can help. nancysceo@gmail.com c-419-350-9058 Gracias Fashion Show & Luncheon... Gifts-Drawings-Fun-Arbonne-Health Products too!! Bring your Gold to sell as well. 100% proceeds go to Jessica's Savings Club $5 Donation RSVP: Click here Jessica's devotional “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

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HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY JESSICA !!!

Dearest Jessica,

Today is your birthday! 24 years old!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! FELIZ CUMPLEANOS!!!

How do I even begin to tell you how I feel in my heart about you? I have truly been blessed by God to have you as my daughter and to be called your Mom!

It is often said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step....and oh, how true that saying is for what you have endured these past years. You have taken many "steps"--- sometimes forward, most times backward, some small, some big, most hard and some unimaginable! But through it all, you have shown to me and all who have come to know you, how truly strong, courageous, special, and amazing you are!

I remember many years ago, before you were born, how I couldn't wait to meet you. When God blessed me with you I was the happiest person in the world. You were my little bit of heaven, my little Angel, sent from God above! The love I felt for you was overflowing, just like the water in the sea. I never imagined that I could feel so much love.

Through the years, you have never ceased to amaze me. These past few years you have been nothing short of incredible---I stand in awe of YOU!

As I sit here writing this special letter to you this year, we are finally blessed to be back "home". Home here in Florida, with your Dad, sisters, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. God continues to bless us in so many ways. You see, in this "journey" that we have been taking, we have had to call many places "home", as I think of where we were last year at this time and Mexico was our home away from home.

But in each and every place we have journeyed, you have shown to everyone what "strength under fire" is. What you have had to endure, no one should ever have to in their lifetime, let alone in just a few years! Your tenacity and belief in a God that would be there with you every "step" of the way, was just incredible. You are a living example of what unwavering faith in God, hope in a brighter tomorrow, and unconditional love is all about!

My prayer for you this year is for you to experience all that you have missed in the years that you have been ill. I want you to have all the things you couldn't have or even do because of the pain that robbed you of a life you should have had; the life that God originally intended it to be.

Jessica, you are and have been ALL that I have ever wanted in a child! You have taught me a greater love and it is you that gives me a special reason to wake up each morning. You are my sunshine on a dark day and your smile brightens up every room you are in! I promise you that I will help you to see the world that you have missed during your illnesses and that I will always be there to hold your hand as you face each new day, just as my Mom, your Grandma, did for me.

So Jessica please even though we know that the world isn't perfect, and that you may "fall" from time to time, do not worry because I will always be there to "pick you up" forever and always.....

I love you very much and I am so proud to be called your Mom and honored to take this journey, step by step, with you. Remember, small steps---huge advances, as Dr. Cantu always says!

Happy 24th Birthday Jessica! From the very first, I have admired you, enjoyed and been so proud of you. And as the years go by, my love for you only grows deeper - my honest, amazing, inspring, truly original daughter! May God continue to bless your "steps" and keep you safe and warm and may you finally be able to enjoy your "new" life!


All my love, always,
Your Mom Sarita xo

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

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Happy 2012!

Happy 2012 Everyone!

Yea, I know I am a few days late... but I have been so busy enjoying this New Year with my family that I have not had a chance to sit down and write! :)

I started out New Year's Eve morning by making Italian cookies with my Nanny from her very own recipe!

These are "Nanny Yum Yum" cookies! They turned out beautiful and were soooo delicious!!

I than got to watch my daughter/dog Molly take a bath!! We couldn't let her start out the new year smelling bad! I had forgotten how CUTE she is wet!

After her bath, we all sat around outside by the pool to let her dry in the warm Florida sun.

It was a wonderful day! I know these things might seem silly to be making such a big deal over.... but THESE are the visions I had in my mind that kept me going through years of illness.

These memories are the reason I wanted to live!

Later that night, as we counted down to midnight, everyone took turns giving me giant hugs and a lot of kisses!

Grandma hugging her "miracle" at midnight

Watching the ball-drop, together, was very emotional for us. Being home, I am realizing more and more just how much my illness and our time apart has affected everyone… on many different levels.

I know it has not been easy and everyone has dealt with it differently. But this year, I feel more blessed than ever to be a part of this amazing family!

I hope they always know how much I love them and appreciate the sacrifices that have been made to allow me to make it into this New Year with them!!!

I LOVE this family!!!!

Near midnight, I made some special calls to my 'Mexican Family' to wish them a Feliz Año Nuevo! I even got to skype with Dr. Rainbow and talk with Dr. Cantu, Dr. Luigi and Cindel!

They are all always with me in spirit, as evidenced by our scrabble game... Dr. "Green Shirt" Cantu is never too far from our minds!!

After the ball had dropped, we all went outside and made a lot of noise and lit sparklers!

...Maybe some of us went a little more crazy than others... :)

We got to watch our very own "personal" fireworks show that a neighbor across the lake was putting on!

It was a perfect way to ring in the New Year!

New Years Day I was surprised with a very special visit from our dear friend Cecilia, her daughter Sandra and her new baby, Benjamin!

To get into the whole story of just how special Cecilia is to us would take up several pages. She is one of many people who has been a true God-sent angel to us and we love her so much!

Cecilia has seen me at every stage of my illness from Florida, to New York... even all of the way to Mexico, where she came to visit me and help us in 2009!

She was SO amazed to see me now, so well, able to do so much! She must have told me over 100 times how happy she was and how she just "can't believe it!"

Needless to say, having her, her daughter and her new grandson, here in my home with me, celebrating health, happiness and new life, was a perfect way to start out the new year!

None of us can ever know what the future will hold, but we can rest assured knowing WHO holds the future!

I would like to thank all for your generous support and love! 2012 is off to a great start for me and I believe that this is going to be an AMAZING year!! ....A year that would not have been possible without so many of you!

Feliz Año Nuevo!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!

In God's love,

Jessica

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18-19)

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