Hi To All,
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To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
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http://bonusbiz.vemma.com/v.asp?IDNum=A4FAA92D%2D2723%2D425D%2DB822%2DF6E131A6817A&CO_LA=US_EN
(Sales of Vemma Products also help Jessica's Journey-for more info contact Nancy @ (419)350-9058)
Update on Jessica:
On Thursday evening Jessica's sister Katherine arrived safely! She was met at the airport by Dr. Rainbow & her husband Dr. Zavala and their granddaughter Clarissa. Jessica and I are so excited to have her with us. We have been busy catching up on "ALL" that has happened here at the Hospital San Jose Tec. We last saw Katherine back in December and so it was a very emotional reunion for us all! She will be staying with us for a few weeks to help us make the transition out of the hospital.
On that note, Jessica has been running fevers these past few days and so Dr. Febricula (aka Dr. Dillman) the ID doctor, has put her back on an IV antibiotic called avelox for a number of days. Dr. Cantu is away, as he had some personal business to attend to in the states, and so between her fevers and him being away it is looking like our transition out of the hospital will be somewhat delayed!
It has been a couple of crazy days here in the hospital. We remain strong, even in the face of these daily "challenges", because God is ultimately in control, and He alone knows the plans for Jessica and when His timing is correct, the "exit plan" will happen. Please keep praying for Jessica. Pray that the fevers go away and that the tests come back negative. Pray that all will go well in the next week or so and that the transition happens soon and is a smooth one.
In God's love and in His peace,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*
"Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess!
Deuteronomy 5:33
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Jessica's Journey to Getting Her Life Back
By Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)
As we begin this journey toward renewed health we would like to express our sincere heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick and all the work he has done and continues to do in order to bring patients like my daughter Jessica back to a more meaningful life and restored from this devastating illness. Also, special thanks to Dr. Fernando Cantu and his team of doctors in Mexico for taking on a difficult case like my daughters, Words cannot express the renewed sense of hope that we have that one day, our Jessica, can regain her life that has been taken away from her – God Bless you all!
Jessica’s Story
Once an A+ student who loved school, was involved in many extracurricular activities, played varsity tennis, lacrosse and gymnastics and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, our daughter Jessica has spent the last 3 years incapacitated, paralyzed, unable to sit or walk and eat. She spends her days confined to a hospital bed, wearing sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones, due to severe light and sound sensitivity.
Jessica and her sisters, 2 mos. before becoming illThe pain she feels is indescribable and all attempted treatments have not even come close to relieving her suffering.
She has seen many doctors, undergone numerous painful tests and procedures, has been prescribed various medications, and has been hospitalized frequently including being intubated and on a ventilator. She is severely debilitated and currently is only 92 pounds. This is certainly no life for a 21 year old young woman!
Jessica is suffering from neurologic Lyme disease and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a severely debilitating and painful neuromuscular disorder. She suffers daily with constant sharp, stabbing, tingling and burning pain; throughout her body; severe headaches; paralysis; intense muscle spasms; gastroparesis; seizures; twisting of her limbs (dystonia); sensitivity to any touch (allodynia); extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds; excessive sweating; swelling; fevers; softening of bones; decreased hair growth; redness and discoloration of the limbs; and painful skin ulcers. The pain is constant and unrelenting, but despite her suffering, her faith in God remains and she still has hope for her future.
Jessica's painful skin lesionsJessica's journey began in 1999, when she was only 11 years old. She became very ill with Mono and was bed bound for 3 months. She subsequently developed RSD (stage 1) of the lower right leg. She received early intervention and returned to playing sports and enjoying her life.
Jessica, age 15, at summer campFour years later, in 2003, while away at a sleep-away camp, she developed a rash behind her right knee, coincidentally in the same leg that previously had RSD!
At the time, the camps nurse & doctor told her that it was “duck rash” – a rash from swimming in the lake with duck feces. However, Jessica was able to obtain photos from camp from another camper which shows the classic “bulls-eye” rash from Lyme disease! It wasn’t until much later and only after developing symptoms and becoming very ill, was the diagnosis of Lyme disease and Babesiosis (another tick-borne infection) made.
Most people (and doctors!) have no idea how serious Lyme disease can become and no clue how to properly diagnose it. Unfortunately, if she would have been promptly diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the RSD would not have been triggered and she would not be suffering.
July 2003, Jessica's Lyme disease rashDuring these past three years and with the pain becoming more intense and unbearable she has been seeing Dr. Finkelstein for pain management. He has even made house calls to spare her the pain of coming by ambulance to his office. Jessica has been treated with multiple pain medications, at the highest possible doses, as well as an implanted dilaudid pain pump, which delivers potent medication straight into her spine. Many doctors have told us that with the amount of medications Jessica was taking would be enough to “kill a horse”—yet they had little to no effect on her. If it wasn’t for Dr. Finkelstein trying to alleviate her constant, severe, unrelenting pain, I don’t know how she would have managed. He is very special to us as well.
Recently Jessica was transported by air ambulance to Tampa, Florida to see Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, a world renowned RSD expert. Dr. Kirkpatrick told us that Jessica is one of the most debilitated patients he has ever seen.
Jessica getting into the air-ambulance to go see Dr. KirkpatrickUpon his testing and because Jessica's condition is so severe, Dr. Kirkpatrick is recommending the only treatment available that can possibly help relieve her suffering, and afford her some semblance of a “normal” life - the Ketamine Coma Procedure - a clinical trial that is being conducted in Monterrey, Mexico.
During this procedure Jessica will be put into a coma , with the hope that her nerves, brain and spinal cord will “reset” -so that her nervous system sends the correct signals to her brain.
Yes, this is a radical, scary treatment, however, for Jessica, "scary" is thinking that she could spend the rest of her life in this condition, unable to walk, eat, or take care of herself. Since all reasonable treatments have failed to help her, we feel we must try everything possible to help Jessica regain her life.
We understand that due to Jessica’s fragile condition, there is a high risk associated with this procedure. We are also aware that other patients with severe RSD like Jessica's have had success.
Jessica’s goal is to one day become a doctor. Our hope is that with this study she can have that chance. As her Mom, I know that she will be a great doctor because when a patient presents in her office and says “Doctor, I am in pain and words cannot express how bad it is” – my daughter –Dr. Jessica– will be able to say - :I know how you feel, I’ve been there too. So, take a seat and let me tell you a story”….
We are so thankful and feel so blessed to have been led to Dr. Kirkpatrick.
God is good and with his help guiding Dr. Cantu and Dr. Kirkpatrick, our hope is for Jessica to be able to return to us whole again and pain-free!
9 comments:
Welcome Katherine!
We are very happy that you three have been reunited! Having Katherine with you will help to pass the coming days as you wait for the right time to leave the hospital. Do not despair for it will certainly happen. God is watching over you and will open the doors when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we know you will make the most of your time together and will continue to plan for the next phase of Jessica's journey. You are being kept in daily thoughts and prayers always.
Our love,
Rosemary & John
I oftenn wonder if the plans we make that seem to go awry are always for the best. It seems in hindsight that God has been amnipulating things for the best. It doesn't seem like it at the time, though! Can you imagine how much worse things would have been if Jess were to get sick only days into the new apartment and how much more difficult it would be to get her the right treatment. I thank God daily that he knows what is best for us and that he manipulates the environment sometimes to suit that! I pray for your peace of mind, your family, Jessica to get well quickly and for the new apartment to be just what the doctor ordered! Be well and know that many pray! Hello Katherine, how are you enjoying Mexico so far? The eople are friendly, the air is warm, the mother and sister loving! Enjoy your stay!
Jessica, hang in there. Get well. I so enjoyed our chat on Skype. I will treasure that time always!
Love to you all
How wonderful that Katherine made it there safe and sound. It must be so nice to be reunited! Lots of catching up to do.
Hopefully, the "delay" won't be too long of a delay.
We will keep praying for you and your family! In His way, in His time (and hopefully SOON)!
With love & prayers,
The Turners
Psalm 50:14-15
14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
Today I attended St. joseph church in Greenfield. As we prayed for the sick they asked who else-of course, I yelled out "Jessica" so lors of prayers were said for you today.
Katherine I am so happy you arrived safely and can have time to spend with mom and Jessica. I know you will use your time wisely and be a source of strength for them.
peace
Linda in Saratoga
Praying for peace and a smooth transition to the new home for all of you. When Dr. Greenshirt comes back say...."Move that Bed!"
May God's love comfort and keep you strong! You are all REMARKABLE!
Happy Memorial Day!
Nancy & Joe
Hebrews 11:1-3
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
i know it's been awhile since i have checked in with you. I am sorry you have a fever and pray that it does not hamper your plans for moving out of the Hospital. I can only imagine how excited you both are to have your Sister and your Daughter with you for a visit. I'm sure she will be so excited to see both of you and probably hasn't slept much from the excitment you both will bring her. I sure hope that when i come down in early July that i will beable to spent some time with you both. I'm sure you can imagine me in my Hospital gown sneaking down the hall to the elavator to escape for a coffee and getting lost! I still have no recollection of any of it, not even the coffee, haha
Let God shine on all three of you and enjoy your visit.
Lots of Love,
Blair.....
my name is autumn, i have rsd, looking for somone to talk to , im a single mom with 2 children , havnt worked in 5 years , turned down for disability , pain is out of control, issues with noises and loud sounds and no one around me understands making me feel crazy , any help is appriciated. my number is 302-359-1286 if anyone wants to call thank Autumn
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