My Sister, Jacqui Menkes, Help Fund

Dear Friends, my wonderful sister, Jacqui Menkes, has had a challenging medical journey and now has had a set-back that has me asking for help for her. 

Jacqui is an amazing hairstylist and beloved teaching assistant and mentor to new hair stylists at a technical school in the Philadelphia area, as well as a gifted astrological counselor.  If you know her, she certainly has been there for you.  Listening, caring, finding a way to help you.  

 On March 3rd was taken to the Emergency Room by her husband, Larry,  because she had a fall in the bathroom causing a bleeding gash on her head. Previously she had been dealing with the flu for 10 days.  In the ER she had a major seizure and it was determined that her sodium levels were at a near critical low, which essentially 'short-circuited' her system and caused the seizure.  Sodium and potassium regulate the electrical system of the body and brain. 

 We all treasure the blessing that the fall saved her life.  If she hadn't been in the ER, her seizure may not have been seen and she could have simply passed away in her sleep.  The greatest gift is this did not happen.

She was in a coma for 2 1/2 days and the sodium was slowly replenished.  But MRIs revealed that there was impact on the brain, leaving a 'shadow' on her left temporal lobe.  After almost a month in two hospitals, the exact caused was not determined.   It was seen as an isolated event; a  'perfect storm' of an unknown virus mixing with prescriptions and supplements resulting in extreme sodium depletion.

             Jacqui with her 72 hour EEG test

Jacqui spent an additional month in a rehab center trying to stablize and come back to normal.  All her 'knowledge' seems accessible and intact, but she has shown cognitive delays with sequencing and a kind of 'dyslexia' with reading and typing.  The lengthy hospital stay and multiple high-level tests likeMRIs, Cat Scans and more, are a true financial challenge.  

Jacqui was optimistically planning  return to her teaching assistant position this Fall and do some practice styling work this summer.

On June 21 another trip to the ER changed all her plans.  Jacqui felt tired and dizzy.  Larry recognized the symptoms and took her to the ER, where they discovered her sodium levels had dropped 10 points below normal.  Sadly, the result is that she has taken a step backwards and lost more  focus and cognition skills. An underlying condition that is leading to the sodium -potassium depletion has to be explored further with more doctor visits and  tests.

As of now she cannot return to her beloved teaching assistant position or her  livelihood as a hairstylist, which was a major portion of her income. She had some sick-leave support from the school system, but that has now ended, as well as her paid health insurance.  She was able to find other health insurance through the national program, but this is now her own expense. Larry at age 77, is now her caretaker, but has only social security income.

 We are now asking for help  as we explore long term disability options, which may take a long time to get into place.  Please support Jacqui and Larry as they  have to totally reframe their life.

 Any amount you are moved to share will be  deeply appreciated.    And of course, all good vibes and energy you can send her way will be most welcome.

Please share this post.  Thank you all so very much.