Hi Everyone,
To Order Jessica's Journey Necklace, Click On Link :
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41687962
To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
To view New Vemma Product Video, Click on Link Below:
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)
Just a quick update:
We are still in the hospital as there are some loose ends that need to be addressed before we can transition out of Room 845.
Jessica's fevers have responded to the new antibiotic called targocid and she will remain on the IV medication until we leave.
As you can imagine, things are very hectic here - both physically and emotionally. We have been here for quite some time and the preparations for such a move can seem daunting at times.
On that note - yesterday was a day of days here. Katherine, Jessica's sister, has been recovering from the wisdom teeth extraction. She began experiencing tremendous pain in her back. Dr. Cantu and Dr. Luigi did a full exam and both felt that she may have a kidney stone. A urologist was called in as well and a URO Cat scan was performed. She does have a small stone and the hope is that it will pass with medication. Dr. Cantu also put her on medication for the pain.
As I said before --- never a dull moment with our family!
Please pray for Jessica - that all stays as planned and that we can transition from the hospital in the coming days.
Please pray for Katherine - that her stone passes and her pain is managed and that her mouth heals as well.
Please pray for me - that God continues to bless me with strength and good health - so that I can accomplish the tasks that need to be done for us to transition out of Room 845.
Please pray for Dr. Cantu and Dr. Luigi - for all they have done for us and continue to do every day.
In God We Trust,
Sarah Gina* (Mom to 3)
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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!
10 comments:
Just the other day, I commented to you that you ocould not be in a better place, should things go wrong... oops! :) How wondeful that two very capable doctors were able to help Katherine out! They are very good people. I hope that Katherine is feeliing much better real soon and I do continue to pray a covering over all of you as you prepare for the next step in your journey.
May God make it very clear when the timing is just right. May you feel His energy being poured into you at each moment that you need it. May God hold all of you close and show you His wonderful love.
Blessings to you all and to the doctors and staff at SJH!
Wow, it won't be long now and you guys will be transitioned out! I bet it seemed like a long wait to get where you are today but look how far you have come! Amazing!
We will keep praying for full recovery for Katherine & Jessica. Kidney stones can be quite pain.
May you continue to trust in Him who is faithful and can do more than you can imagine!
With love & prayers,
The Turners
Some verses from Psalm 91
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Dearest Jessica and Gina, Wow!!! Can you believe 53,000 views of the blog??? That is amazing!! You are reaching people everywhere and helping more than a few, I'm sure!! I hope that Katherine feels back to normal soon and that Jessica is able to make her transition soon. I am so thankful that there are good doctors there to help you with whatever is going on at any specific time. I keep you all in my prayers every day and our rosary group is also praying for you each week. You are always in our intentions and in our hearts. Hang in there, ladies!! Good days are coming soon!! Love always, Angel xoxoxoxoxoxo
Praying for you all as you work on recovery, moving, infections, and strength.
Kathy
DOnt know if you guys have access to internet in jessicas room. But Tonight at 8:30pm California time Disneys world of color is going to be broadcasted live for the first time on Ustream.tv.
you can see it at www.ustream.tv/worldofcolor
Just thought I would pass it along for you guys to watch!!
Say hello to jessica for me and tell her to hang in there =0
Jeff
Sarah, you are an amazing woman, with so much courage and strength. I know to you it probably doesn't feel that way all the time, i'm sure sometimes it feel like your going mental. But God has been with you and is helping you through this by giving you the strength to carry on like you have been doing for so very long! Soon this will be all behind you and you can go home and continue on with a normal life. I think of all of you everyday and pray that your days ahead will become smoother and simple. I really hope i have another chance to visit with Jessica and you and maybe get the chance to meet Katherine if she is still there when i come. I respect your that you are very busy and know when you are more settled that we will talk again. God Bless the 3 of you and may he give the Drs the strength and the wisdom they need to help you transition to your new temporary place.
Lots of Love and Happiness coming your way. The Coffe Guy...
Blair xoxo
Hey Sarah Gina, I know what you can do to pass the time. Instead of the "Days of our lives", you can call it..."The Days IN Monterray! Oh my wonderful friend, the journey has had so many twists and turns and God holds the Roadmap, and he promises to guide you. Prayers of comfort and strength to you and healing for the girls.
What a blessing that Katherine IS in Monterray now as both she and you would want to be on her health journey together. Can you even imagine if she was in the states now and going through this without you. God is a perfect planner, eh!
With love,
Nancy
Bless you BIG heart!
Dear Jessica,
I have been following your blog since the beginning of your journey in Mexico and praying for you and your mother the whole way. I am overcome with joy and excitement to hear that you are soon transitioning out of the hospital and that you will begin your next step to wellness! You are so unbelievably strong and even though I haven't had the pleasure of chatting with you for a very long time you have never left my thoughts and prayers. I still look up to you and I will never forget all the help you gave me at the beginning of my Lyme diagnoses.Stay strong and keep accomplishing the amazing small steps you are taking because the path leads to a fantastic reward! I know you will make it! I send you and your phenomenal mother and dear sister the best of luck in the weeks to come!
Lymie love and many prayers from your facebook lymie friend,
Sarah Peterson
Sara you are an amazing pillar of strength. We're all praying for Katherine now as well as Jessica. Hoping that you're transition will be smooth and easy.
You know I didn't read the blog for a few weeks but just been praying that Jessica would get well enough for you 2 to come back and begin your extensive recovery here. Well I guess the Lord doesn't think it's here yet, but prayerfully it will be. Please continue to be strong....for He is faithful..Love & hugs to the 3 of you girls
Angela & family
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