Christmas Blessings to Our Family & Friends,
Our God is an awesome God indeed!
A Miracle has happened!
Jessica's past week in ICU was restorative!
JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN! HER EYES HAVE BEEN RESTORED! JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN!!!
I wanted everyone to know that a Christmas miracle has happened here in Monterrey, Mexico! All honor and glory and praise be to God for this wonderful blessing! Thank you God for directing Dr. Cantu and using him to perform your mighty works!!!
Thank you all for ALL of your prayers! I will blog the whole magnificent blessing in detail tomorrow! Just wanted everyone to know how blessed, honored, and grateful we are this Christmas!
JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jessica's Mom*
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored!".
Matthew 9:29
"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!!!."
John 9:25
Special Birthday Wishes to Jessica's godfather-and my brother-Vinnie - Happy Birthday!
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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!
26 comments:
This is WONDERFUL news!!
We are thrilled to hear such great news! Are you back on the 8th floor? Jessica must be so happy! May God be praised.
I sent you a message yesterday on email. Right now we are in the Houston airport waiting for our next flight which is not till 6pm. We will be in Monterrey at the Hampton tonight and look forward to hearing the whole account when we arrive there tomorrow for check in!
Theo and I have huge smiles and are so very grateful for God's provision. Hope she is feeling better as well
_Ferb
This is the most wonderful news I have ever heard....the best Christmas present we could have hoped for. Keep those miracles coming.
Cathy and Devon's friend S
I am so happy Thank God!
Praise God to whom all glory goes!!!
I have been praying like crazy since I read your last post!
Will continue to pray and pray with much thanksgiving!
love and blessings
sharon spengler
I am sitting here crying, the happiness I feel for all of you. Oh Jessica-I am so happy for you.
Peace and love
When is the family arriving to visit you?
Linda
Have been praying for you! So happy to hear Jessica's vision has been restored! I will contine to pray for you, Jessica and your family for continues recovery(it's going to happen!) and also in thanks for your Christmas miracle. I believe!
love, Nancy Ernenwein
Hi Jessica and Mrs. Stevens!
Today, both Mom and I celebrate with you. Last night we both prayed fervently for her. We celebrated today when we received the news. Praise God!
Continuing to pray for you all!
In His love,
Lindsay and Sharon Spengler
Hi,Sarah.It's Devon's older sister,Nicole. My mom just told me the news, a few hours ago. "That Is,Wonderful"!. Even though,I don't go to Church,I pray on my own,for my family. and,sick people. So,I have been praying for Jessica,ever since Devon, was,there.I know Sarah,that you miss my mom + Devon. But,I wanted to let you know,That,you have my support,to. And,so do my Himalayan Persian cats,"Chloe" + "Oliver".
I wish you,a very good night.
Fondly, Nicole E.
Gina and Jessica, We are so HAPPY for you. Thank you God! We will continue to pray for your full recovery. All things are possible! Love, Marianne
Dearest Jessica and Gina, I am thrilled for you!!!! A miracle has happened!! It is a beautiful day!! I will continue to pray for you and hold you in my heart always. Hang in there!!!!! Love always, Angel
Praise be to God, the Almighty! That is absolutely wonderful. We are so rejoicing with you right now! Tears of joy are streaming down my face.
May God continue to richly bless your faith and heal your sweet Jessica completely!
Our God is an awesome God!
With love & continued prayers,
The Turners
Our God is an AWESOME God!!! Crystal
Dear Jessica and Gina
What wonderful news. We were all elated to hear that Jessicas eyesight has returned. What a christmas blessing.
Love
Ashley, Paula, Ray and Kevin
Thanks be to GOD and all the faithful prayer friends!! What an emotion of love that comes over us hearing the news! Dr. Cantu and Dr. Rainbow thanks for always looking for ways to help your patients progress and heal.
Can't wait to hear more tomorrow!!
Love, Nancy & Joe
I have Lyme disease and have a lot of trouble with my vision as well, but can still see. I was worried for Jessica and this is incredibly happy news! I am rejoicing for her and your family. The happiest of holidays to you!
Anything is possible for those who believe! This was the best Christmas news anyone can send! I am continuing to keep Jessica and the entire family in my prayers this Christmas!
God is sooo good!
Regina xoxox
WHAT A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH!!!!!!
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
May God bless those beautiful eyes for Jessica. May she see the world anew every day.How blessed will be Christmas with your family together. Enjoy them and Jessica, keep getting better.We love you honey. Don't everBonnie forget it.
Our God is an awesome God....
Its great to know that Jessica will be able to SEE her family when they come down for Christmas !
A wonderful miracle has happened to Jessica and how thankful we are that our wonderful God has performed this miracle. I am so happy to hear that Jessica's vision has been restored. I will continue to pray that the rest of her body begins to see and feel the miracles of God.
Jenn
News of Jessica's restored vision gave us goose bumps !!
Pam and Ed in Boston
Hi Sweetie!!!
I am sooooo happy to hear the good news!!!!! That is absolutely incredible. You are amazing and I am proud of you every day. I love you so much. Keep fighting!!!
XO,
Ashley
Dear Jessica and Mrs. Stevens,
I'm so happy to hear that Jessica's eyesight is back.
I'm praying for many more miracles to come.
Jessica, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers always.
Love,
Eva
EmpireStateLyme@aol.com
This is WONDERFUL news!!
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