Hello To All,
To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
Just wanted to update everyone on Jessica.
She had surgery this past Sunday for a new medi-port. The past few days she has been receiving ketamine boosters for some pain post surgery.
An ultrasound was performed during surgery to observe the thrombosis in her right arm. She is on IV heparin and will be switched to coumadin when we leave the hospital. She is completing her IV antibiotics and if all goes as planned, we will hopefully leave the hospital by this weekend!
Jessica is doing very well!
Today we would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Molly -- Jessica's yorkie-poo. She is 9 years young today!
Also, Happy Birthday to Cindel tomorrow. She is someone we have met since being here in Mexico and has become like a 4th daughter. She has been such a help to the both of us and is turning 22!
Also - special prayers for Emma - who has come out of the coma here at the hospital. May her recovery go well!
Prayers to all who suffer with this disease.
We pray for all of you and thank you all for your continued prayers for Jessica.
I will update everyone from the apartment in the next few days.
We praise God for Jessica's healing and for all the miracles that happen here at the Hospital San Jose. We also thank God for Dr. Cantu, Dr. Luigi, and Dr. Dillman --- Jessica's special "team"!
Quote for the day:
Someday hopefully everything will all make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.
(sent to us from Suzie- a former coma patient)
In God's love, always,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*
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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!
13 comments:
Here's hoping the plans come to fruition and that Jessica keeps improving each day! Thank you o Lord for the break she has received and for the way He has walked her through each set back and torment of the body.
My good friend Shahn, whom I have told you about. (his wife has Lyme disease as well) pimped my electric wheelchair! He dropped it off yesterday. It now has an auto seat with back rest and head rest. I can angle it however I want at the pull of a rope which he looped so I can use my forearm to make it work instead of my hands! It is so much better now! I will have to figure out how to hang a bag from it since he has removed any remnance of it being a wheelchair now! lol
It is so wonderful to have good friends wherever we are and I miss you very much! I hope that I can gain the funds to return to you very soon. Have a few items and books tucked away just for when I see you both again.
Stay well, keep on writing and communicating. I feel closer to you when we talk more often and it makes me feel better.
The migraine is finally gone but the increase in body pain has not receded just yet and my voice has not returned.
I am off to the arthritis centre to get braces made for my hands today. They will take casts of my hands and will make some braces that will be suitable and "hopefully" comfortable enough to wear to assist me in not dropping everything I pick up! lol!
Love you all. Happy birthday to Molly! It will be a great celebration in heaven(and on earth) when Jessica can pick her up and hug her physically!
Wonderful news! Glad to hear Jessica is doing VERY WELL! God is good!
Wow, Jessica, you sure have come a long way since you first arrived at the hospital there.
It will be nice to get back to the apartment and continue those steps forward (and maybe eat some of Mom's cooking).
We will continue to pray for MIRACLES for you and ALL the RSD patients.
With love & prayers,
The Turners
Dearest Jessica and Gina, I am so glad to hear that Jess is doing well after the surgery! It seems at this stage this is still the place you need to be- where Dr. Cantu and his staff know exactly how to treat whatever issues come up and have the skill and the medication necessary to do so. It's also great that you are getting ready to return to the apartment! Good luck with the move! :) My prayers, thoughts and love are with you every step of the way. Keeping you before me always.... Love, Angel xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Hi Sarah and Jessica,
It is a rainy, windy, stormy day here is Pennsylvania, but your hopeful news about Jessica has brought a great big ray of sunshine! Jessica, we hope you become much more comfortable after these boosters and that you and your amazing Mom get to head back to the apartment soon. Our chocolate lab, Hershey, says to wish Molly a very Happy Birthday!
Sending love and wishes of hope,
Kathy, Mark, Kerri and Erin
Hi Jessica, Sarah Gina and the WonderWorkers at Hospital San Jose!
Great news and Happy Birthday to Molly from Mr. Tinker and family!
Love and big hugs for continued improvement!!
Everyday and every email it is evidence of God's Greatness in how he is working through you all to his Glory!! Thanks be to God!!!
Our love,
Nancy & Joe
Just want you to know that the Martin Family is out there keeping Jessica and all her family in our prayers (every day). We love you and we miss you. The Steven's Family are an inspiration of strength and faith. Love, Maura,Jim,Brigid,Keara
Thank you so much!
For everything, Jessica and all of you have been like a ray of sunshine that came into my life and, Sarah, I'm very grateful to be like your 4th daughter, you're all so so special to me, you're family.
I love you guys very very much, and thanks for coming to brunch today Sarah!
By the way, that quote of the day is fantastic :)
Sending love and hugs your way. I am so excited to hear that you will be back in the apartment soon. Together, you continue to be the most incredible picture of inspiration. Missing you and praying for you always.
Nita
Hello!
As always, I am here in NY, reading your blog to keep up on Jessica's progress. I think of you both often and pray for you always. Please give Jessica a huge hug from me and tell her how so very proud I am of her for fighting so hard. I wish I could give her the hug myself. God Bless. Love, Mary Freese
Hi Jessica and Sarah,
It is so wonderful to hear that you are doing so well! Jessica i wish i was there with you and your Mom so i could give you a BIG GENTLE HUG! You deserve it. I'm sure you are both looking forward to leaving the Hospital and getting back to your apartment. I hope i can visit you before Christmas, i am trying to come down for some Treatment before Christmas as i need it. Lots of Love and prayers to Both of you, i miss you, but have my Bear as a constant reminder of our first meeting.....
Lets Skype,
Blair.....
How Great Thou Art
Lyrics ~ Carl Boberg, 1859 - 1940
English Translation ~ Stuart K. Hine, 1899 -
Stanza 1:
O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The works Thy Hand hath made,
I see the stars,
I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout
The universe displayed;
Stanza 2:
When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;
Refrain:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Stanza 3:
When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
"My God, how great Thou art!"
Refrain:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Hi Jessica and Sara Gina!
John and I are thinking of you both and hoping your plans are on track to go back to your apartment! Even if there are more delays, we know they will be short and soon it will happen. Jessica, you've been amazing through all of this. The past 2 months have been hard on you but you've handled them with grace, as always. You are such a strong lady (an inherited trait no doubt!) We know that you, Sarah will be busy cooking up a storm, letting the cool air blow through the entire place as you play music and celebrate being in your home away from home! Your Faith is very inspirational to us and reminds us of how fortunate we are to have you in our lives. Stay strong and keep looking ahead!
Love and Prayers, always,
Rosemary & John
Jessi, Sara, soy Maria Rosa, vuestra vecina del San José, estoy muy contenta de saber que Jessica y tú por fin se van al departamento, deseo con todo mi corazón que todo vaya mejorando poco a poco, Dios les tiene que ayudar, son unas personas maravillosas, agradezco a Dios haberlas conocido, son un impulso para mí, si Jessica puede yo y todos los enfermos de RSD tenemos que poder.
Sara y Jessica son un ejemplo de fortaleza.
Yo me he sentido mejor, estoy contenta.
LAS QUIERO
MARIA ROSA
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