Give Pea's a Chance...Help Jessica Helen
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When we as parents and family receive this child, we receive God himself. It is his way to come to us with the purest of unconditional love that ever was and is. Jessica is here to teach everyone she encounters in her little life. She is a Godsend in every way...
Jessica Helen Hillcoat... our sweet little girl is fighting to stay in our lives, battling one complication after another. This little girl is so deeply loved by everyone who encounters her bright light. Her parents, extended family, doctors, nurses and, heck, everyone who encounters her are drawn to her strength like a moth to a flame. She is here to remind us of the importance of love and commitment. With everything she has been through she remains strong and positive and just plain sweet as pie. If you are lucky enough to have met Jessica, you understand what we mean.Jessica's immensely dedicated parents are somehow juggling 100% commitment to her care while still managing every day life with Jessica's two older brothers, Dylan age 11 and Justin age 10. This is a monumental task! Dad stays at home to care for Jessica when she is at home, while Mom, the primary bread winner for the family, works to support the family. All of this while somehow managing both Dylan and Justin's busy schedules. However, and unfortunately, Jessica has spent more than 75% of her 8 month life at Boston's Children's Hospital which is, by the way, the most wonderful and caring health care facility we as family members can possibly imagine our little girl. As a result, Mom has been unable to work in any consistent way, so household income has all but ceased. Paying the bills and providing for the family has become difficult, if not impossible. All the while medical bills continue to mount. Yet, Mom and Dad do not complain...they remain positive and upbeat. They do not ask for help in spite of how seriously they need it.If you are in a position to help in any small way whatsoever, the donation you provide will make a difference in Jessica's life and will greatly relieve the pressure from this very special and loving family. They are so proud and will not ask for help. Yet, they are so very deserving. Your donation in whatever amount you can afford is so very appreciated.Jessica and her family thank you so very much for your help!!
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Jessica Helen Hillcoat was born on June 28, 2013 at Children's Hospital in Boston, MA.
She was born with Down Syndrome and a weak heart in need of repair. By September, 2013 after countless efforts it was clear that Jessica was not gaining enough weight on her own and was back at Children's Hospital On September 19, 2013 to have a feeding tube inserted to help her along.
On October 9, 2013 Jessica was admitted to Children's for her first heart surgery to repair a damaged av canal and her left valve. Shortly after her arrival at the hospital, she developed a high fever and fluid in and around her lungs. Once stabalized, Jessica had her surgery on October 10, 2013. She had her little mini-me by her side...her little red haired baby pea in a pod... Jessica's nickname "Pea Squish" has started to stick!!
Within weeks of being home after her surgery, on October 24, 2013 Jessica is back at Children's to deal with a high fever and complications with her feeding tube.
Two days later, Jessica has figured out how to pull out her feeding tube from her cheek!!! Back to the hospital for reinsurtion (and several more times after that..littly smarty!!)...
Happy Thanksgiving, 2013...I'm feeling good today!!
On November 29th Jessica was back at Children's to have her feeding tube (G-Tube) surgically implanted in her tummy. No more pulling that tube out for you, young lady!!
On December 7, 2013, Jessica is back at Children's. Her G-Tube is not functioning properly.
Merry Christmas, 2013!!
On December 30, 2013, Jessica's fever spiked again to 103. She was transported to Children's yet again...
Jessica spent New Years Eve at Children's struggling with mitro valve regurgitation :(
January 4, 2014...Feeling a little better today...
Jessica came home again on January 8, 2014...yay!!
February 2, 2014...Jessica is back at Children's with trouble breathing. She is being treated for the flu...
Still at Children's...
February 11, 2014...feeling better..going home in a few days...she loves her little pea squish baby!!
Jessica came home on Febrary 13, 2014. She was re-admitted to Children's on February 16, 2014 with a 104 temp and concerns of dehydration!!
On February 17, 2014, Jessica was moved to the ICU at Children's where she suffered a Code Blue and had a breathing tube inserted.
February 18, 2014...sleeping beauty!!!
February 22, 2014..Jessica's breathing tube was finally removed...
Feeling a little better...
February 23, 2014...Jessica developed an addiction to her sedation medications and is now suffering from withdrawals.
February 25, 2014...Jessica was taken off oxygen, but continues to struggle with her sedation medication withdrawals...
February 26, 2014...Jessica's fever spiked again to 103.8!!
February 27, 2014..."I'm feeling much better this morning...thank you all for helping me and my family!!"
March 2, 2014...Jessica continues to struggle weaning from her medications. She will need to begin physical therapy both now and when she returns home to strengthen her core since she has been ill and inactive for so many months. It is proving difficult to find the right balance of exercise and nutrition due to her substantial weight loss.
March 8, 2014...Jessica is finally back home!!! She is under quarantine for 1 month...no visitors and no leaving the house :-(
Jessica has several heart defects she will need to have corrected. The most pressing is called: Significant Mitral Regurgitation, a much less common form of MR found in only about 2% of those studied..here is a link to learn more about MR: Mitral Regurgitation Facts. She will require this surgery to reduce the size of her heart valve opening as soon as she has gained back her strength and maintains a healthier weight. Jessica will also need a 3rd heart surgery to repair what is known as a parachute valve. Her 4th surgery will be to install a prosthetic mitral valve. These are all considered open heart surgery :-(.
Jessica continues to take methadone to help prevent withdrawals from all of her sedation medications. She is doing well now and continues to perplex her doctors!
She goes from happy and reasonably healthy to critical condition like flipping a switch!
So thoughts and prayers are needed to keep her healthy for a while longer so she is able to get strong enough for her
surgeries...
You can also follow Jessica's full story by visiting her Caring Bridge Link:
Jessica Helen Hillcoat
Jessica Helen Hillcoat... our sweet little girl is fighting to stay in our lives, battling one complication after another. This little girl is so deeply loved by everyone who encounters her bright light. Her parents, extended family, doctors, nurses and, heck, everyone who encounters her are drawn to her strength like a moth to a flame. She is here to remind us of the importance of love and commitment. With everything she has been through she remains strong and positive and just plain sweet as pie. If you are lucky enough to have met Jessica, you understand what we mean.Jessica's immensely dedicated parents are somehow juggling 100% commitment to her care while still managing every day life with Jessica's two older brothers, Dylan age 11 and Justin age 10. This is a monumental task! Dad stays at home to care for Jessica when she is at home, while Mom, the primary bread winner for the family, works to support the family. All of this while somehow managing both Dylan and Justin's busy schedules. However, and unfortunately, Jessica has spent more than 75% of her 8 month life at Boston's Children's Hospital which is, by the way, the most wonderful and caring health care facility we as family members can possibly imagine our little girl. As a result, Mom has been unable to work in any consistent way, so household income has all but ceased. Paying the bills and providing for the family has become difficult, if not impossible. All the while medical bills continue to mount. Yet, Mom and Dad do not complain...they remain positive and upbeat. They do not ask for help in spite of how seriously they need it.If you are in a position to help in any small way whatsoever, the donation you provide will make a difference in Jessica's life and will greatly relieve the pressure from this very special and loving family. They are so proud and will not ask for help. Yet, they are so very deserving. Your donation in whatever amount you can afford is so very appreciated.Jessica and her family thank you so very much for your help!!
****************************************************************
Jessica Helen Hillcoat was born on June 28, 2013 at Children's Hospital in Boston, MA.
She was born with Down Syndrome and a weak heart in need of repair. By September, 2013 after countless efforts it was clear that Jessica was not gaining enough weight on her own and was back at Children's Hospital On September 19, 2013 to have a feeding tube inserted to help her along.
On October 9, 2013 Jessica was admitted to Children's for her first heart surgery to repair a damaged av canal and her left valve. Shortly after her arrival at the hospital, she developed a high fever and fluid in and around her lungs. Once stabalized, Jessica had her surgery on October 10, 2013. She had her little mini-me by her side...her little red haired baby pea in a pod... Jessica's nickname "Pea Squish" has started to stick!!
Within weeks of being home after her surgery, on October 24, 2013 Jessica is back at Children's to deal with a high fever and complications with her feeding tube.
Two days later, Jessica has figured out how to pull out her feeding tube from her cheek!!! Back to the hospital for reinsurtion (and several more times after that..littly smarty!!)...
Happy Thanksgiving, 2013...I'm feeling good today!!
On November 29th Jessica was back at Children's to have her feeding tube (G-Tube) surgically implanted in her tummy. No more pulling that tube out for you, young lady!!
On December 7, 2013, Jessica is back at Children's. Her G-Tube is not functioning properly.
Merry Christmas, 2013!!
On December 30, 2013, Jessica's fever spiked again to 103. She was transported to Children's yet again...
Jessica spent New Years Eve at Children's struggling with mitro valve regurgitation :(
January 4, 2014...Feeling a little better today...
Jessica came home again on January 8, 2014...yay!!
February 2, 2014...Jessica is back at Children's with trouble breathing. She is being treated for the flu...
Still at Children's...
February 11, 2014...feeling better..going home in a few days...she loves her little pea squish baby!!
Jessica came home on Febrary 13, 2014. She was re-admitted to Children's on February 16, 2014 with a 104 temp and concerns of dehydration!!
On February 17, 2014, Jessica was moved to the ICU at Children's where she suffered a Code Blue and had a breathing tube inserted.
February 18, 2014...sleeping beauty!!!
February 22, 2014..Jessica's breathing tube was finally removed...
Feeling a little better...
February 23, 2014...Jessica developed an addiction to her sedation medications and is now suffering from withdrawals.
February 25, 2014...Jessica was taken off oxygen, but continues to struggle with her sedation medication withdrawals...
February 26, 2014...Jessica's fever spiked again to 103.8!!
February 27, 2014..."I'm feeling much better this morning...thank you all for helping me and my family!!"
March 2, 2014...Jessica continues to struggle weaning from her medications. She will need to begin physical therapy both now and when she returns home to strengthen her core since she has been ill and inactive for so many months. It is proving difficult to find the right balance of exercise and nutrition due to her substantial weight loss.
March 8, 2014...Jessica is finally back home!!! She is under quarantine for 1 month...no visitors and no leaving the house :-(
Jessica has several heart defects she will need to have corrected. The most pressing is called: Significant Mitral Regurgitation, a much less common form of MR found in only about 2% of those studied..here is a link to learn more about MR: Mitral Regurgitation Facts. She will require this surgery to reduce the size of her heart valve opening as soon as she has gained back her strength and maintains a healthier weight. Jessica will also need a 3rd heart surgery to repair what is known as a parachute valve. Her 4th surgery will be to install a prosthetic mitral valve. These are all considered open heart surgery :-(.
Jessica continues to take methadone to help prevent withdrawals from all of her sedation medications. She is doing well now and continues to perplex her doctors!
She goes from happy and reasonably healthy to critical condition like flipping a switch!
So thoughts and prayers are needed to keep her healthy for a while longer so she is able to get strong enough for her
surgeries...
You can also follow Jessica's full story by visiting her Caring Bridge Link:
Jessica Helen Hillcoat
Organizer
Dawn Hillcoat Miller
Organizer
Halifax, MA
