Hello to All,
To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
The storms have finally ended and the beautiful Monterrey sun has reappeared over the Sierra de La Silla mountains once again!
Jessica has been reconnecting with her sister Michelle this past week. It is so nice to hear them together again talking like only sisters can! For all of us who have sisters and/or brothers, we know the special connection that exists - it is like no other!
Jessica has been responding to the antibiotics and the fevers have lessened. Dr. Dillman (aka Dr."Febricula") wants her to finish the course of the antibiotics. All cultures came back negative and so it is believed that it was a flare-up of her RSD - as a few of the lesions have reappeared on her right arm. For Jessica, the ketamine is a necessary component to keeping the lesions at bay and also the pain some what controlled.
Since being in the apartment, I have had time to reflect on the time that Jessica and I spent at the Hospital San Jose Tec. For the 10 months that we were there, so many things happened and so many stories need to be told. My plan is to write a book about this journey. In fact I have already begun to do so! The title will be "It's A Long Story....But....." and each chapter will begin with the "But.....". My hope is not only to tell Jessica's story, but to also raise awareness for RSD - a disease that is so misunderstood and so life-changing; and also for Lyme - a disease that people need to be so careful of due to its' devastating effects as well! I will keep you all posted on the progress I make with the book. Many of the blog postings will be a part of the book - as well as many of the comments. Who knows - maybe it will be a bestseller??? Only God knows the answer to that one!
The other day we had our first visit from a fellow coma patient - Blair. He has become very special to us - he is like family. He came by before his trip back home to Canada. He and his companion Susie brought over some special gifts for Jessica and I. Jessica received a hug-bear and I received a beautiful Beatles painting to hang on our wall in the apartment. Thanks Blair for the presents, but more importantly for the visit and for all your love!
Dr. Cantu returns from vacation this Saturday. It will be good to have him back and we hope he had a nice vacation with his family --- he deserves it!
Thank you all for the compassion that you have shown to Jessica and to our family. May God bless you all with good health --- for it is something that you cannot buy and so very important --- besides our faith in God. It is with God that we all find the strength to carry on.....
Psalm 84:11&12
"For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you."
Psalm 37:3-5
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this for you."
Peace and love always,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*
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It is so nice to have all the girls together. It warms my heart to think of you all there together, the girls talking and giggling (brings joy to any mother's heart)! :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear that Jessica is responding to the antibiotics. We will pray that the ketamine will get rid of those lesions once and for all!
Hope you enjoy the beautiful weather and that you will continue to see daily improvements in Jessica's health!
I bet Michelle and Katherine can see HUGE improvements since they last visited with Jessica!
With love & prayers,
The Turners
Sarah and Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting again as we pray for you both, and for your family- and now Michelle as she is visiting. How wonderful that sisters can be together!
Thankful for all you wrote about, and we will continue to pray for God's healing touch, His strength, and His love to fill you.
Kathy and Harv
How wonderful to have the sun back! Michelle can spend some lazy days by the pool and maybe even by the end of the summer, we will figure out a way to get Jess to dip a toe in! The next milestone!
ReplyDeleteI pray that Jessica's lesions all go away, that Dr Cantu returns with new vigour and creativity in his efforts to restore your family.
I pray for all of you that you may feel God's love surrounding you both in the people you encournter in your day-to-day and in His Spirit. May you feel a renewed energy, a strong sense of recommitment to the battle and a true knowledge that you are loved!
I love the idea of the book. Let me know if I can help at all.
Talk to you soon
-Fern
Hello Sarah, Jessica & Michelle,
ReplyDeleteIt's great news that Jessica is responding to the antibiotics, she is such an amazing & strong young lady. Having the sun shine is good for the soul and reminds us that storms in our lives will pass and there are brighter days ahead. We wish you continued strength, courage and feelings of hope for a future with Jessica returning home painfree. Thank God Dr. Cantu is returning tomorrow as I know just having him nearby gives all of you comfort, and yet, he does need to recharge his batteries!!! Stay well, stay positive, remain hopeful and know you are always in our hearts and prayers.
Love,
Rosemary & John
Love and Prayers -the answer to all.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the blessed, wonderful GIRL days. Each moment with them is God's gift.
Saturday afternoon Mass, we all prayed for you.
love and peace,
Linda in Saratoga
I have to tell eveyone that the highlight of my trip to Monterrey was NOT my 7 days in the Hospital! It was my visit with Jessica and Sarah and i was lucky enough to meet Jessica's Dad and sister! They are a very wonderful and loving family, who are blessed with kindness and love to others. I feel very blessed to know them and feel a strong bond to them. There is not a day that goes by that they are not on my mind. I had a booster here in Canada on Friday and the last thing i can remember before i went under was i wonder if Jess is getting a booster now, maybe i will meet her in LALA land. I know you probably think that its crazy, but i don't, we in my mind have become close friends and the power of God can make anything possible. Jessica and Sarah, i miss you guys and hope to see you again in September when i come back for more treatment. I will Skype you this week to catch up and find out how you have been doing. May God take care of you.Jess i hope your sores do not get bad for you, i am thinking of you.....
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Blair
Hi all. It is Thurs 7/22. I know you are all wonderful prayer people. I need to find God's solution to a out of the blue situation. One short prayer will help.
ReplyDeletethanks,
Linda in Saratoga
I'm so glad that Jessica and Michelle have renewed their bond. Sisters always need each other. Hi to all and God Bless. love, Bonnie Oh, by the way, how's the leak in the ceiling???? fixed I hope!
ReplyDeleteFrom the mom of a 13 year old with RSD, I encourage you to please continue writing the book!! I am considering writing about my daughter's RSD journey also. You have been such an amazing encouragement to me!
ReplyDeleteJessica, you and your family are always in my prayers.
Many blessings.
Hi to all the Stevens girls down there in Monterrey! I am so glad that Jess is continuing to take the small steps necessary for healing. It's also great that Dr. Cantu is back! Rainbows bring such beauty into the world... I can't imagine what it looked like to have the full rainbow encircling the mountain! I love rainbows too, and the visual of that made me smile. It occurred to me today, Gina, that you build a community wherever you are. Whether it's here in GC, in a hospital setting, or in an apartment in another country, you make a beautiful life for yourself and those around you with your love and caring. We can all learn a lot from your approach to life and to difficulties. I have to think that the faith, strength, determination, perseverance, and humor that you and everyone in your family have shown throughout this journey has got to be the way God hopes everyone in this world will face serious challenges in their lives. Hang in there!!! Love always, Angel xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI would like to exchange links with your site www.blogger.com
ReplyDeleteIs this possible?