Jessica's Journey: Happy New Year 2010 !!!

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

***To post a Comment, CLICK on Comments below***

12 comments:

Anonymous said...: Romans 8:30-32

30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?; December 31, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Silicon Valley Real Estate said...: My greatest wish is that the Stevens Family, and Jessica in particular can have a 2010 as good as 2009 was for Robert and our family. I do not know how many other lyme/rsd patients there are but no one should have to endure this. After almost 20 years of illness Robert is finally fairly functional and ready to go back to college next week. I hope to see Jessica doing the same in 2010!
Marcy Moyer and family; December 31, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Fern said...: Well said!!

Happy New Year to you! May 2010 bring you health and success.; December 31, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Anonymous said...: Beautifully said!

We pray that this new year be filled with many blessing for you and your family (including complete healing and a flight home on a commercial airline for both you and your sweet Jessica)!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

With love & prayers,
The Turners; December 31, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Anonymous said...: wishing you everything you wish for yourself. Happy 2010
Linda; December 31, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Marianne said...: Happy New Year! May this be a wonderful HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year for your family. You are always in my thoughts and prayers....Love, Marianne & Rob; December 31, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Anonymous said...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKzi4A1ldxE

A little song that might bring you some cheer!; December 31, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Dearest Jessica and Gina, On this cusp of the new year, when old things become points of reflection and new things are awaited with anticipation, I wish you wondrous days of healing, renewal, and peace. Your journey, to a place where active faith and living in Jesus Christ is a tangible reality, has also become all of our journey that we are taking alongside you. We have learned so much from you. You are teaching us what patience and perseverance are really all about. Our prayers will keep coming for you and your family, of that you can be sure. May God keep you in His most tender care, show you His loving mercies, and bring you His choicest blessings in the new year. Love always, Angel; December 31, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Jane said...: HAPPY, HOPEFUL NEW YEAR! to the Stevens in Mexico and the Stevens in Garden City. Keep the faith! Wishing you all the best in 2010,
The Garypies; December 31, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Anonymous said...: May you have a blessed New Year!

Romans 15:13

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jn 11:40

40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

With love & prayers,
The Turners; January 1, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Anonymous said...: I just know that 2010 will bring peace and health to you, Jessica and your whole family. I will pray harder than ever for this to happen. God Bless, Bonnie Miss you guys. Come home soon!; January 1, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Anonymous said...: Ephesians 3:20-21

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.; January 3, 2010 at 6:36 PM

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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.