Hello to All,
Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on Jessica.
We arrived back to Hospital San Jose this past Friday-June 3rd.
After going thru admittance, she was brought up to the 8th floor and back in room 845 - the same room she was in the last time. I must admit that it was a little surreal to be back here once again and in the same room.
She was taken off of coumadin and put on IV heparin. We will wait until her blood levels are at the correct number in order for her to have the surgery for removal of the granuloma. She is also on IV antibiotics and IV ketamine.
For now we are in a holding pattern until the proper time for surgery.
We place all our trust first in God, then Dr. Cantu, and all the doctors and nurses here at Hospital San Jose.
Please keep Jessica in your prayers. I will keep everyone updated as to when the surgery will be.
In God's love, always,
Sarah Gina
P>S>
Paulina, the 12 year old daughter of a dear family we have met while here in Monterrey visited us last night. As she was leaving she said to Jessica:
"DO YOUR BEST AND GIVE GOD THE REST!!!".
What wonderful words from such a young girl!
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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!
6 comments:
I bet that felt strange to be back in your old room but hopefully it will not be for long.
We continue to pray feverently for you both.
May He give you peace and comfort as you wait on His perfect timing.
With love and prayers,
The Turners
Still praying, praying, praying ...
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.
God never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
"He is the everlasting God. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)
These are just words of encouragement to hopefully help you through your day. There are times when it seems like God is not there. However, take heart, God is always with you. He may be silent, but he is there.
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
When the storms of life come, we tend to wonder where God is and ask why He is not answering our prayers? Perhaps He is, just possible not the wait we expect nor in the time frame we want.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 (NIV)
God instructs us to be patient, remain hopeful and keep praying. Our time is not His time
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you need and the desires of your heart. Rest assured that God loves you and He has your best interest at heart. Be patient. Wait on the Lord, the everlasting God. Be at peace. Let your strength renew.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
A little humor...
Seen on FB
A father is anticipating the birth of his daughter writes:
Get to meet my little Alexis Noelle tonight. I can't wait to lay my eyes on her.
I read this to my parents, and my dad said "how do you spell "Alexis" with no "L"?"
Lol
Jessica & Sarah Gina,
Hi just want to say hello and to say that we are thinking about you and send our love hugs and prayers to you. I really like your writings and all the knowledge that you have gained. Sarah Gina we love you too and hopefully we will see both of you again.
Patty Hyatt
Dear Jessica & Sara Gina,
You continue to leave us speechless and in utter awe of your amazing strength! The way you both face these difficult challenges with such Grace is so inspirational. May God continue to bless you and keep you strong. We ask His mercy now in helping Jessica to endure this surgery without any complications or infections and that she have a full and speedy recovery.
We know that Dr. Cantu and his team are watching out for Jessica as if she were their own. We will pray that this is the last big hurdle Jessica must face and that very soon we will receive happy news from Monterrey!
Love You 2,
Rosemary and John
xooxoxoxoxoxxoxo
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