Jessica's Journey

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year 2010 !!!

Blessings To All For The Coming Year 2010,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

htt p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

What a year 2009 has been for Jessica and for our family. It has been a year that began in January in a hospital in New York and has ended in December with another hospital here in Mexico. It has been an incredible journey - Jessica's Journey - to getting her life back again. A life free of pain and sickness!

It has been a year of discovery, to say the least.

For Jessica , she has discovered that she could persevere another day fighting against two formidable foes - Lyme disease and RSD! That she could continue to battle these illnesses and yes, even travel many miles by private air ambulance all the way to Mexico, in the pursuit that a "coma" could be the "hope" she had been looking for to relieve her pain!

For me, it has been a year of discovering what the "human spirit" can endure as I watch my daughter fight that fight each day. And also, how the human spirit is alive and well. From the love and support of our family and friends, to the kindness of strangers we have never even met! To all the people who follow this blog and have also taken this journey with us as well! To the doctors who have helped her along this path, as well as all the people we have now met while here in Mexico - it has truly been a year of many "discoveries"!

But, for Jessica and I, and our family, what has been the biggest discovery of all is that of the "holy spirit" - alive and well inside of us! That component or part of our faith, that "gift" left to us from God, that gives us the peace and the hope, that calm assurance, that God is with us, that He is in control, and that no "weapons" formed against us can prosper. That God is love, that the words in the bible are our stronghold, and that ultimately His will will be done - He is in control!

We praise God for the miracle of the return of Jessica's eyesight! We praise him for the improvements that we see. We await the rest of the miracles to unfold, as we know they will. We also praise God for ALL OF YOU - for you have all been sent by God to us, especially these past few years, to support us and to lift us up, and in so doing, I believe, the gift of His "holy spirit" resides in all of you as well! From the people in N.Y., Florida, Mexico, and all around the world - Thank you all for being here for us this year and May God continue to bless you - one and all!

Please remember this - we are only human beings. We can only see the present and the past. The future is a little frightening to us. So we need to hold onto God's hand and trust Him to calm our fears. And at those times when we are stubborn and resisting, and He shakes us by the shoulders to get our attention, we are reminded that we don't call the shots. God has a plan for us, mysterious though it may seem, and we want to be in the center of it.
All the risks notwithstanding, the center of God's will is still the safest place on earth to be!

WE PRAY THAT YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

With all our love,
The Stevens' Family*

"If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Together As A Family Again!

Dear Family and Friends,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

htt p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

We said farewells to our family last night as they leave this morning to fly back to N.Y. It was so good to see them again! Even though Jessica has been fighting infections while they were here, it was so good to be all together as a family once again. We all had a very special Christmas in Room 845! We look forward to seeing each other again in the new year; with the hope that comes only from our faith in the good Lord up above!

Here is a message from Jessica's Dad - David:

I am overjoyed at seeing the progress that Jessica is making. The world will still see a very sick girl, but I see a girl on the way to recovering from an horrendous illness.

God has a plan, and it is my job to continue to praise the Lord and to continue to believe in a complete recovery.

Throughout the Bible there are stories of men and women facing incredible odds - but God delivered them all.

Always remember that the devil is a liar and a thief - his job is to rob and destroy. But God gave us a powerful weapon to fight back - the weapons name is Jesus!

I await with complete peace and joy for the total healing of my daughter Jessica and the return of my wonderful wife Sarah Gina.

All my love,
Dad*

A Message from her Sister Katherine:

First and foremost, I would like to say that my mother is absolutely amazing and without her Jessica would not be where she is today! I love you Mom!

This past Christmas was definitely not a normal Christmas for our family, but it definitely was one of the best.

This Christmas in Mexico with my Mom and Jessica opened my eyes to what the holiday is truly about. It has nothing to do with presents or food, but with whom you share it with.

To be completely honest, at first I didn't want to go to Mexico.I thought it would be boring and difficult to be in a hospital room and see my sister in pain. Thankfully, it turned out to be much different. Even though Jessica was in pain alot of the time, I got to laugh and tell jokes and stories with her; we were able to be like sisters again. I was happy to see her crack a smile.

This trip was also very important because before seeing her I didn't have much hope for her recovery. But, after being with her and seeing her improvements , I have a whole new renewed hope and faith - I know she will make it through!

I can truly see the work of God's hands in Mexico and with Dr. Cantu; God's hands are truly mighty indeed!

Mom and Jessica - you both are truly amazing women and I love you both. May God continue to bless you both!

All my love,
Katherine*

A Message from her sister Michelle:

I would like to talk about my sister Jessica. The reason why we are here in Mexico and Jessica is getting better is because she has our Mom with her. She, along with the doctors, has done so much to help make Jessica better and to help her get to this point.

Me and my sister Jessica are 9 years apart. She has always been like my second mother. Jessica and I are best friends AND sisters! I am her "mini-me" - her "wessie".

I love you Jessica with all my heart! You are so strong and determined! All through growing up, I always wished I was more like you. Jessica and me have had our share of cries and laughs. I do believe that you will get better because God is truly a good God! Jessica, you have never lost hope and you never will! Also, Mommy, I love you with all my heart! You both are my joy and inspiration! I have to try and manage at home in N.Y. with Daddy. (ha,ha)

I love you Jessica- "wessie". Always remember to have "HOPE"!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you wessie,
Michelle* xoxo

What special messages from our family! It was so great to see them again! The hope is to be finally together again as a family - real soon!

In God's love,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

30,000 VIEWS OF BLOG & 5,000 VIEWS OF YOU TUBE!!!

Blessings from Mexico,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

htt p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Yesterday began with another visit downstairs for Jessica. She had to have a mini-surgery to remove her catheter and place another one in on the other side. She is still experiencing fevers and high blood pressures due to the infections and so the doctors felt it was necessary to change the catheter. While she was down there they also decided to take care of a pressure ulcer on her left foot. As I said before, it is always an "adventure" when Jessica is in a hospital. As it says in the bible in Romans 5:3&4: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope!" Our hope for Jessica is to continue to climb this "sickness" mountain, step by step, to ultimately get to the other side, or the "wellness" mountain. As it says in the bible in Psalms 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea".

Also, yesterday, my two daughters Katherine and Michelle were invited by Dr. Cantu's wife Gloria and daughter Pamela, who is 14, to go out to lunch and to the local mall called the "Palacio de Hierro". They went with 3 other friends of Pamela's as well - Roberta, Vanessa, & Luciana. Gloria dropped them off at the mall. They ate in a restaurant called "El Diego" and Pamela and her friends translated the menu for them from spanish to english. Michelle had empanadas for the rest time. She loved them. Katherine, my picky eater, played it safe and had grilled chicken in an argentinian sauce - she said it was delicious. The girls will now stay in touch thru facebook. A fun time was had by all!

Dr. "Green Shirt" (Cantu) leaves today for a vacation to Texas with his family. He leaves Dr. Luigi and Dr. Chavez in charge while he is away, but, I will be perfectly honest, the "ship" doesn't run as smooth when he is away. He "knows" his patients. As with anything, when the "Boss" is away, things are different. We do hope, though, that he has a well deserved vacation with his family!

Till tomorrow,
and in God's love,
Jessica's Mom *

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Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas in Monterrey, Mexico!

Hola from Mexico,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration yesterday. Our family arrived and Jessica was happy to see her Dad and her sisters Katherine and Michelle again! We hadn't seen them in over 4 months and they were so excited to see the progress, the "small steps", that Jessica has made. My Michelle has grown even taller and prettier! She is now a teenager and has become a fine young lady, but she will always be my "baby"! My Katherine still has that infectious smile and bubbly personality that I love so much. She also exudes such a confidence about her and has that "mesmerizing look". When she walks into a room, everyone notices! David looks well and is holding up and managing as well as he can under the circumstances. He now realizes how much I did at home! He and the girls bought me a beautiful necklace with 3 hearts - one for each of my three girls! I will always remember where I got it when I wear it - it is very special!

As a family we all agreed that it was a very "special" Christmas for us! Even though it was spent in a hospital room in Mexico, we were all together again and that was all that mattered!

We would like to thank the following people from the Union Church in Monterrey for the lovely Christmas dinner they brought to us at the hospital. First, special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. O'Toole for the lovely dinner that consisted of smoked turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, green beans, stuffing and rolls --- What a feast and so delicious! Also, special thanks to Mr. Romero for the delicious pecan and pumpkins pies and also to Pastor Long and his brother-in-law Wally & Bob, for bringing it over to the hospital! We loved everything and were so grateful to share the meal as well with the Brown family from Pennsylvania, who are here as well! Also, special thanks to Dr. Rainbow for the delicious wine to go with our meal!

Pray for Jessica today as she has been experiencing some fevers and still fighting an infection that she had while she was down in ICU. She is an amazing person - determined - a fighter; she will make it through to ultimately realize that hope and faith and prayer does conquer all!

In God's love,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad To All,

" A HEAP OF HAY " by Anne L. Moller

The Inn in Bethlehem
Had no room to spare...
Mary and Joseph
Were turned away there

That very night the Savior came,
And majestically
He lay
Upon a heap of hay.

Wise men said
He was a KING
And shepherds from the hillside
Heard ANGELS sing!

I would like to be like the Wise Men
Who brought gifts of gold,
Or like the Shepherds,
Brave and bold,

But what I can really be...
Is like the "Heap of Hay"
And have "room" for JESUS
Where He can stay!

On the night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Mary "wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room in the inn". (Luke 2:7) When Jesus was born, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels to praise God. The birth of this child was good news for the whole world!

Christmas invites us to let Jesus be born in our lives.
Then every day God will give us life, joy, and peace.

We would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas. May you all have a wonderful day celebrating his birth with your family and friends. Jessica and I can't wait to "see" her Dad and two sisters, Katherine and Michelle! Christmas in Monterrey, Mexico - what a journey it has been!

God bless you all and thank you for the love you have shown us especially during these past few years. We are blessed to call you our "family"!

O Holy Night,
Merry Christmas,
The Stevens' Family*

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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 ill

The 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 lesions

Jessica'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 camp

Four 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 rash

If it wasn’t for her doctor, Dr. Liegner, and his expertise with complex cases of Lyme, and his determination to try any means in getting her well, by getting a “team” of doctors on her case, we wouldn’t be here today, still fighting. We owe him a deep sense of gratitude for all he does for Jessica!

During 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. Kirkpatrick

Upon 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!

What is RSD?

Imagine what it would be like to endure a burning sensation so intense that the most potent pain relievers are completely ineffective, leaving you with the feeling that your body is actually on fire...

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a painful & debilitating chronic neurological disorder that occurs when the nervous system malfunctions in response to a injury or illness- in Jessica's case- Lyme disease.

RSD is characterized by: Continuous sharp, stabbing & burning pain; Extreme sensitivity to touch; Severe headaches; Painful skin ulcers; Intense muscle spams; Softening of bones; Dystonia; Skin temperature & color changes; Hair/nail growth changes; Muscle atrophy; Vascular & Autonomic dysfunction; Sensitivity to lights & sounds and Paralysis.

This rare condition is a mystery to scientists & often is misdiagnosed. Much more research is needed to find the cause of RSD and ways to treat and prevent it.

Ketamine Coma Study

The Ketamine Coma Study is a clinical trial procedure being conducted in both Germany and Mexico, that is considered for patients with the most severe, intractable cases, who have exhausted all other reasonable treatment options.

During this procedure, patients are put into a ketamine-induced coma-- essentially shutting the body down & giving it time to "reset" the nerves, brain and spinal cord. Patients are supported by a ventilator and monitored in the ICU.

So far, only about 100 patients have taken part in the study. For many, it has been miraculous!
However, like any treatment, there are no guarantees. There are also significant risks, especially in Jessica's fragile condition.

The Ketamine Coma shows great promise as a treatment for severe RSD- the key is going to be more research.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a central nervous system depressant that produces a rapid-acting dissociative effect, blocking signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain. It was developed in the 1970s as a medical anesthetic for both humans and animals.

There are currently three kinds of ketamine treatments: The Awake technique (continuous low dosage for 4-5 days), the Outpatient low-dose infusion (4-5 hours a day for two weeks, then gradually-lower doses), and the Coma technique (continuous high dosage for about a week).

The hypothesis is that ketamine blocks the neurons and manipulates NMDA receptors which might reboot aberrant brain activity, the coma shuts down the nervous system, allowing damaged nerves cells to heal and "reboots" the patient's brain, much like a computer.

Ketamine can have some nasty side effects. Especially when emerging from the coma, patients may experience hallucinations, lack of body awareness, visual distortions, confusion, and weakness.

Why Mexico?

There is a popular misconception that medical care in Mexico is of inferior quality. However, this is not (always) the case. In fact, many facilities in Mexico are state of the art, with top notch care.

Because Ketamine is considered a schedule 3 drug in the U.S., only a small amount of ketamine is legally allowed for medical treatment according to federal law. The high doses required for the Ketamine coma are currently only legally available in other countries.

Jessica's doctor, Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, is one of only a few specialists involved with this study in the U.S. He has teamed up with Dr. Fernando Cantu and his team in Mexico to perform the Ketamine Coma.