The Steffenson Family
Donation protected
Friday, September 09, 2016
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your continued prayers during this hard time. We are so grateful to you, our community and our vicarage church for your overwhelming love and compassion.
Our doctors have described a concussion as a shaking that causes a change in the chemical processes of the brain.
On the night of June 19th, Jason Steffenson impacted his head and got a concussion. He was disoriented, nauseated, experiencing a severe headache, and other concussion symptoms. We took him to our doctor directly the next morning.
Seven days later, while continuing to suffer from concussion symptoms, Jason experienced a personality change. He started laughing hysterically without the ability to stop. We took him to the Emergency Room.
In the first days of July the speech symptoms of slurring and stuttering were getting noticeably worse. We again sought medical help.
Finally, in mid-July, we were able to get into see a neurologist. He prescribed a medication at the smallest dose with a small regular increase over time to help manage the concussion symptoms. At first we were hopeful, but soon found the side effects of the medication were worse than the original concussion symptoms. Our neurologist changed the prescription and added another. At that time we had a growing concern about the quality of care we were receiving from him. Once again the side effects of the additional new medication elevated to cause severe problems and pain for Jason. Then, after ten days, with medical permission, Jason stopped taking this second medication. At that time we were waiting to hear back so that we could schedule an appointment with a specialist neurologist at Washington University.
Unexpectedly, Jason’s mother found that a medical massage therapist who was appropriately trained to deal with head and spinal issues was available and willing to see Jason intensively over the long Labor Day weekend. We took an unexpected and unplanned trip to Northern Illinois in order for Jason to be seen by this medical professional. Jason remained blindfolded throughout the car trip in order to be capable of traveling. We were very hopeful that she could help Jason since we had previous good experiences with her work.
At our initial consultation with this medical professional, as she was working on the pressure points on Jason’s head, Jason’s eyes started moving uncontrollably. Progressively he started shaking, and then having violent convulsions. I tried to calm him down using the relaxation techniques that I know. When I realized that he was not capable of stopping or slowing himself down I had the ambulance called. Jason had seizure like activity for 30 to 45 minutes. He was sedated twice by the emergency personnel and the Emergency Room doctors in order to stop the convulsing.
Jason continues to wait to get into see a neurologist at Washington University. Jason has also been referred to and is waiting to get into the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at Mayo Clinic.
The doctors have all agreed that this is a temporary experience and expect a complete recovery. The policies of the seminary do not allow Jason to complete his current professional internship as vicar since he has missed the allotted work time. Jason has been granted a leave of absence from Concordia Seminary where he continues to be a student. However, since he is not an active student, his financial aid account has been frozen. Any money, scholarships, and adopt-a-student funds, sent to Concordia Seminary at this time will be returned. Since the seminary is not able to accept funds on our behalf at this time all correspondence should be sent directly to our home address.
The administration expects Jason to be on leave of absence from Concordia Seminary for two quarters with the possibility of an extension in order to have a full recovery from the concussion. Upon recovery Jason will return to full time classes at the seminary and then complete another vicarage at the end of his studies.
We plan and hope to stay in our vicarage home as Jason heals. Only now, we are here as a seminary family not as the vicar. Anna hopes to support the family through continuing with her art business. This will give the family the flexibility to get Jason to his medical appointments. (Anna has been out of the house each of the last eight days in order to access medical care for her family.) This also gives us the flexibility for Jason to immediately return to seminary upon his recovery. You are able to purchase Anna’s art directly from her as well as at https://FineArtbyAnnaMarie.etsy.com Anna is accepting commissions in time for Christmas. These finances will go towards providing for our family during this intermittent time of Jason’s recovery and lost employment, specifically towards covering rent and healthcare costs.
Please continue in your prayers for our family. Pray for Jason’s complete and speedy recovery. Pray for wisdom for our family and our doctors. Pray for quick access to the appointments with the specialists. Pray for God’s provision and comfort during this time of hardship.
Thank you all so much for your generosity of spirit and for your persistent prayers. I am sorry that I have not been able to replying to each note, call, or contact. I appreciate each expression of love.
Thank you.
God is faithful in all things. Blessed be the Name of the LORD.
Anna Marie For Jason and the Steffenson family
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your continued prayers during this hard time. We are so grateful to you, our community and our vicarage church for your overwhelming love and compassion.
Our doctors have described a concussion as a shaking that causes a change in the chemical processes of the brain.
On the night of June 19th, Jason Steffenson impacted his head and got a concussion. He was disoriented, nauseated, experiencing a severe headache, and other concussion symptoms. We took him to our doctor directly the next morning.
Seven days later, while continuing to suffer from concussion symptoms, Jason experienced a personality change. He started laughing hysterically without the ability to stop. We took him to the Emergency Room.
In the first days of July the speech symptoms of slurring and stuttering were getting noticeably worse. We again sought medical help.
Finally, in mid-July, we were able to get into see a neurologist. He prescribed a medication at the smallest dose with a small regular increase over time to help manage the concussion symptoms. At first we were hopeful, but soon found the side effects of the medication were worse than the original concussion symptoms. Our neurologist changed the prescription and added another. At that time we had a growing concern about the quality of care we were receiving from him. Once again the side effects of the additional new medication elevated to cause severe problems and pain for Jason. Then, after ten days, with medical permission, Jason stopped taking this second medication. At that time we were waiting to hear back so that we could schedule an appointment with a specialist neurologist at Washington University.
Unexpectedly, Jason’s mother found that a medical massage therapist who was appropriately trained to deal with head and spinal issues was available and willing to see Jason intensively over the long Labor Day weekend. We took an unexpected and unplanned trip to Northern Illinois in order for Jason to be seen by this medical professional. Jason remained blindfolded throughout the car trip in order to be capable of traveling. We were very hopeful that she could help Jason since we had previous good experiences with her work.
At our initial consultation with this medical professional, as she was working on the pressure points on Jason’s head, Jason’s eyes started moving uncontrollably. Progressively he started shaking, and then having violent convulsions. I tried to calm him down using the relaxation techniques that I know. When I realized that he was not capable of stopping or slowing himself down I had the ambulance called. Jason had seizure like activity for 30 to 45 minutes. He was sedated twice by the emergency personnel and the Emergency Room doctors in order to stop the convulsing.
Jason continues to wait to get into see a neurologist at Washington University. Jason has also been referred to and is waiting to get into the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at Mayo Clinic.
The doctors have all agreed that this is a temporary experience and expect a complete recovery. The policies of the seminary do not allow Jason to complete his current professional internship as vicar since he has missed the allotted work time. Jason has been granted a leave of absence from Concordia Seminary where he continues to be a student. However, since he is not an active student, his financial aid account has been frozen. Any money, scholarships, and adopt-a-student funds, sent to Concordia Seminary at this time will be returned. Since the seminary is not able to accept funds on our behalf at this time all correspondence should be sent directly to our home address.
The administration expects Jason to be on leave of absence from Concordia Seminary for two quarters with the possibility of an extension in order to have a full recovery from the concussion. Upon recovery Jason will return to full time classes at the seminary and then complete another vicarage at the end of his studies.
We plan and hope to stay in our vicarage home as Jason heals. Only now, we are here as a seminary family not as the vicar. Anna hopes to support the family through continuing with her art business. This will give the family the flexibility to get Jason to his medical appointments. (Anna has been out of the house each of the last eight days in order to access medical care for her family.) This also gives us the flexibility for Jason to immediately return to seminary upon his recovery. You are able to purchase Anna’s art directly from her as well as at https://FineArtbyAnnaMarie.etsy.com Anna is accepting commissions in time for Christmas. These finances will go towards providing for our family during this intermittent time of Jason’s recovery and lost employment, specifically towards covering rent and healthcare costs.
Please continue in your prayers for our family. Pray for Jason’s complete and speedy recovery. Pray for wisdom for our family and our doctors. Pray for quick access to the appointments with the specialists. Pray for God’s provision and comfort during this time of hardship.
Thank you all so much for your generosity of spirit and for your persistent prayers. I am sorry that I have not been able to replying to each note, call, or contact. I appreciate each expression of love.
Thank you.
God is faithful in all things. Blessed be the Name of the LORD.
Anna Marie For Jason and the Steffenson family
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Boester
Organizer
Hoffman, IL
Anna Marie Steffenson
Beneficiary