Hi to All our Family & Friends,
To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
Today is 10 months since we first arrived here in Monterrey for the coma.
Jessica left the Hospital San Jose Tec last night at 6:00 PM!!!
Praise God for his awesome love!
As you can imagine, it was a difficult trip via ambulance to our apartment - our new "home away from home".
I will try to write a larger update in a few days as it is hectic settling in.
Just wanted you all to know the news!
Keep us in your prayers - and please pray that all goes well with Jessica and this transition.
All our love,
Sarah Gina*(Mom to 3)
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!
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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!
18 comments:
Thought of you at Mass today. The sermon was about our crosses that we bear and how we do it.
We are all excited that you are out of the hospital and little by little on your way to recovery.
AWESOME!
peace, love and always prayers,
Linda in Saratoga
Absolutely wonderful! Praise God! You are on your way, Jessica! I hope you enjoy the new scenery!
We will keep praying for you all!
With love & prayers,
The Turners
I know you probably think that I forgot you, but I haven't. I've just been dealing with my own personal demons. So sorry to be out of touch. I love you guys and I'm so happy that Jessica is out of the hospital. God bless you both on your journey and I promise to keep in touch. Hugs and kisses to you both. Bonnie
This is GREAT news, i'm so happy for you! This is one GIANT step towards recovery. It will be nice to see new things Other then the parking lot! I will always pray for your Family and good Health. See ya soon.....
Hugs,
Blair
That is wonderful news to receive on a Monday morning! Looking forward to hearing the next transition to NY/FL !!!! Always thinking of you both.
Another chapter for the book! I am so glad that you are moved and look forward to hearing all about it!
You have my continued prayers. Hope this feels good, Jessica!
This is the BEST news I have heard in a long time! We are still rooting for you, Jessica! Enjoy the new apartment! Keeping you all in my prayers.....still!
Dear Jessica,
Congratulations on the big break out! You've made many friends in Mexico and they will be there to help you out. You've come so far and with God's hand and your Mother's tenacity, your next big move will be back to the U.S. We will continue to pray for your well being and safety. One day at a time, you will reach your goals! Lots of love, Rosemary & John
Praise God! This is a sign of things to come! Nancy and Joe
=)
Love the news!!!!
I'm a Firefighter that broke both elbows along with both ulnar nerves and have been told that I have developed RSD. I found this site about 13 months ago and have been checking it daily. The burning and intense nerve pain isn't fun. I am so glade Jessica gets to leave the hospital. One more huge step towards recovery!! Just wanted to say Thank you to Jessica's Mom for being such a loving parent!! It shows the love you have for Jessica through your writing. My mom has been helping me the same along my journey. Moms are Great and so is God!!!
Hang in there Jessica, =)
Another milestone and a major one!!
Ed and Pam....Devon's aunt and uncle
absolutly the best news ever!!!
I am VERY happy for you & Jessica.
May God watch over you both as you transition to your new home on Jessica's Journey.
PEACE!!
Jodi
Dearest Jessica, Katherine, and Gina, What great news!!! Our God, who has always asked us to trust in Him, has taken you to the next step on the journey!! Pack those bags with faith, hope and dreams of what miracles are yet in store for you!!! I pray that things go smoothly for you as you transition to life outside the hospital. We will continue to pray for you all. Katherine, I hope that you have fully recovered from your wisdom teeth surgery!! Love to you all, Angel xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Oops, either I can't get my notes to come up on the page, or I end up posting them twice!! Sorry..... your technology-challenged friend, Angel xo
INCREDIBLE!!! God won't stop now!!! He will continue to hold you all tight and keep making the path toward home (the real one in NY!!!). Love you, miss you and think of you guys every day. Nita
I'm so excited for you!! Love you and miss you!!!! Can't wait to read all about it.
XO
This is wonderful news! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love -- Bill and Marie.
I have no words....except chills!!! I cannot believe that room 845 might be open for me, next week. Just kidding!! Actually, not really kidding bc we will be there on Wed for infusions. What am I going to do without you and Jessica next door to me? Lance is coming with me this time. We will have email & our "Magic Jack" phone via the computer.
Hope you have started to settle into your new place & I know you will make it a home, just like you did with San Jose Tech!
All our Love, Elana & Lance
Thoughts and prayers are with you, as always and forever!!!
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