Hi everyone,
To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8
Tomorrow - Friday, January 15th - is Jessica's birthday! She will be 22 years old! My wish is twofold for her. First and foremost, for her body to be restored back to health - strong and free of disease! Second, for her to receive many well wishes on the blog for her special day!
Tomorrow, I will also be posting a special letter I wrote to her as well!
Having faith - knowing that tomorrow will hold the blessings of God and always living by faith, not by sight - One day at a time!
Till tomorrow,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*
Proverbs 16:3:
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans WILL succeed!"
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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!
10 comments:
Praying for a marvelous...miraculous day!!
XOXO Nancy
Hi Jessica! Happy Birthday Eve!!! May your surroundings be bathed in the healing light and presence of the Lord, may you receive countless blessings today, tomorrow, and all your days, and may you always know how much we all love you and are praying for you nonstop- we are storming Heaven with prayer!! and.... Hi Gina! Please give your beautiful daughter Jessica a hug for me!! Hang in there! Tomorrow is a very special day! ;) Love always, and until tomorrow, Angel
The miracles from God. A Newborn. Jessica have a wonderful birthday. the Saratoga Group
Oh my gosh Jessica. You are gonna be 22!!!!!Boy what I would give to be 22 again. Sometimes I think I am and then my body reminds me that I'm old! Oh well, I can dream! We all can dream of Jessica's return to health in 2010. I know it
s coming, hang on babydoll and we'll celebrate life together. Love ya, Bonnie
Happy Birthday Jessica from all of Europe. It's Friday, January 15th 2010 here!! Feel better soon. Lots of prayers coming your way.
Dearest Jessica...on your Special Day we all wish you worlds of Healthy, Healing...blessings from above. You deserve the best and know that God loves you and wants you to cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.. Be reassured that He is always with you..especially today on your Birthday of 22. Keep up your strength & courage. Hugs and kisses to you from all of us....
Love
John, Angela & the boys xoxoxo
PS We're praying fervently for you!
Dear Jessica,
you are my inspiration as is your family. you have been through so much. My family wishes that today is the beginning of a better part of your journey. You make me want to be a better person. Best wishes on your 22nd birthday tiger.
yours always,
Michelle and Brian, Alicia and Tristen Mah
Jessica have a comfortable birthday and I wish you well for a recovery from this awfull illness
Happy Birthday to Jessica,
Many, Many people are praying for you and your family. Praying for the Miracle of the Cure to happen to you!!!
Love and Prayers
The GC Rosary Group
Dear Jessica,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hope your 22nd birthday will be the beginning of better, healthier days. May God hold you in his arms and heal you, for you are a beautiful example of him on earth.
I know he is waiting for you to become a Doctor, because you will save many lives physically and SPIRITUALLY!
God bless you and we are praying you get well soon!
Camille
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