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We met Jessica during our freshman year of college at Whitworth University. She and Michelle were assigned to be roommates, and I lived next door. We quickly developed a bond that lasted through the ups and downs of college life and beyond. It was the best kind of friendship, one where you could be absolutely honest and ridiculous (as anyone who knew us in college can attest) and transparent and just yourself. Jessica was, and is, one of those rare, beautiful, kind people that is so easy to befriend. If you know her, you know what we mean, and you know how special Jessica is.
And that's why we're asking for your help.
In 2015, Jessica began to experience a number of troubling health problems, including severe pain and fatigue. She was initially diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Despite seeing many different doctors and pursuing various treatment options over the next couple of years, Jessica's symptoms worsened to the point where she became bedridden. Once a vibrant school counselor who lived a physically active life, Jessica found herself unable to work or even do much to meet her own basic needs.
In March of 2018, Jessica learned of a naturopathic clinic in Pocatello, Idaho, that specializes in helping people with similar chronic health issues. The doctor there discovered Lyme bacteria in Jessica's blood, along with other chronic infections. After a month of intensive treatment at the clinic, Jessica's body showed some improvement. Nevertheless, as she headed back home to Tacoma, she knew the road to full recovery would be long and arduous.
Since then Jessica has continued to receive treatments from providers in the Tacoma/Seattle area. Although there have been some improvements, her overall health is still severely compromised. Due to persistent nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and neurological symptoms, she continues to live a hugely restricted life. Most of her time is spent lying down. She can only stand or walk for a minute or so before needing to get off her feet. Her vision and auditory system have been impacted in such a way that she must limit the use of her eyes and avoid noise as much as possible. She had to give up her apartment and now lives with her mom who provides care for her. Jessica depends on others to do all of her grocery shopping, errands, food prep, dishes, and laundry. No longer able to drive, she remains homebound and only leaves the house when someone takes her to an appointment.
Jessica now receives frequent in-clinic treatment from a doctor near Seattle who specializes in complicated chronic illness. He has told her that the majority of his patients have seen at least a dozen doctors before finding him. She believes that her new doctor’s comprehensive approach will eventually make a significant difference. This doctor is quite hopeful for her but estimates it may well take 24 months for her to regain enough health to get a part-time job.
When Jessica had to quit work in 2017, she initially received long-term disability income that covered her living expenses. Unfortunately, that has since been revoked. She is in her third phase of applying for Social Security Disability Income, but her chances of receiving support through this avenue seem slim. Chronically ill patients often have a hard time proving the disabling effects of their illnesses. The Social Security Administration, in addition to companies that provide long-term disability insurance, want applicants to provide hard data that measures their debilities. Since Jessica’s lab tests have mostly yielded normal results, she is unsure if she will be able to win her case.
After three years of pursuing medical interventions and two years of being unable to work, Jessica has run through her financial reserves. Her parents are currently covering her living expenses and have already poured large sums of money into her treatment. And although Jessica receives very limited health insurance, it does not cover any of the alternative treatments she needs, which typically cost $2,000 per month. Jessica is now at the point of needing to look beyond herself and her immediate family in order to pay for ongoing treatment.
For Jessica's friends and family, this whole situation has been overwhelming and difficult. Obviously, for Jessica, it's been even more so. But if you have talked to Jessica at all during this journey she's been on, you already know that she's handling all of this with unbelievable tenacity and grace. As she wrote in one of her update emails to family and friends, "If this health journey has taught me anything so far, it’s that I truly do not need to figure everything out. God holds all the puzzle pieces and I am relieved that I only need to focus on the piece that is currently in my hands."
So, how can you help Jessica beat Lyme and recover her health? Here are a few suggestions:
- If you are a praying person, Jessica would love prayers for this journey. Please pray not only for healing and provision, but also that she would have hope, peace, and faith in the midst of circumstances that feel wildly out of control.
- If you have the means to do so, please consider contributing to this GoFundMe campaign to assist with covering Jessica's medical bills. Even the smallest donation would make a big difference for her.
- Share encouraging words with Jessica here on her GoFundMe page. One side effect of her illness is that it has isolated her physically and emotionally, so this is one place you can reach out to Jessica to let her know you're thinking of her.
- Share this page with others who would benefit from hearing Jessica's story or would like to support her in her journey.
On behalf of Jessica and her family, thank you for your support and generosity! - Katie and Michelle
And that's why we're asking for your help.
In 2015, Jessica began to experience a number of troubling health problems, including severe pain and fatigue. She was initially diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Despite seeing many different doctors and pursuing various treatment options over the next couple of years, Jessica's symptoms worsened to the point where she became bedridden. Once a vibrant school counselor who lived a physically active life, Jessica found herself unable to work or even do much to meet her own basic needs.
In March of 2018, Jessica learned of a naturopathic clinic in Pocatello, Idaho, that specializes in helping people with similar chronic health issues. The doctor there discovered Lyme bacteria in Jessica's blood, along with other chronic infections. After a month of intensive treatment at the clinic, Jessica's body showed some improvement. Nevertheless, as she headed back home to Tacoma, she knew the road to full recovery would be long and arduous.
Since then Jessica has continued to receive treatments from providers in the Tacoma/Seattle area. Although there have been some improvements, her overall health is still severely compromised. Due to persistent nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and neurological symptoms, she continues to live a hugely restricted life. Most of her time is spent lying down. She can only stand or walk for a minute or so before needing to get off her feet. Her vision and auditory system have been impacted in such a way that she must limit the use of her eyes and avoid noise as much as possible. She had to give up her apartment and now lives with her mom who provides care for her. Jessica depends on others to do all of her grocery shopping, errands, food prep, dishes, and laundry. No longer able to drive, she remains homebound and only leaves the house when someone takes her to an appointment.
Jessica now receives frequent in-clinic treatment from a doctor near Seattle who specializes in complicated chronic illness. He has told her that the majority of his patients have seen at least a dozen doctors before finding him. She believes that her new doctor’s comprehensive approach will eventually make a significant difference. This doctor is quite hopeful for her but estimates it may well take 24 months for her to regain enough health to get a part-time job.
When Jessica had to quit work in 2017, she initially received long-term disability income that covered her living expenses. Unfortunately, that has since been revoked. She is in her third phase of applying for Social Security Disability Income, but her chances of receiving support through this avenue seem slim. Chronically ill patients often have a hard time proving the disabling effects of their illnesses. The Social Security Administration, in addition to companies that provide long-term disability insurance, want applicants to provide hard data that measures their debilities. Since Jessica’s lab tests have mostly yielded normal results, she is unsure if she will be able to win her case.
After three years of pursuing medical interventions and two years of being unable to work, Jessica has run through her financial reserves. Her parents are currently covering her living expenses and have already poured large sums of money into her treatment. And although Jessica receives very limited health insurance, it does not cover any of the alternative treatments she needs, which typically cost $2,000 per month. Jessica is now at the point of needing to look beyond herself and her immediate family in order to pay for ongoing treatment.
For Jessica's friends and family, this whole situation has been overwhelming and difficult. Obviously, for Jessica, it's been even more so. But if you have talked to Jessica at all during this journey she's been on, you already know that she's handling all of this with unbelievable tenacity and grace. As she wrote in one of her update emails to family and friends, "If this health journey has taught me anything so far, it’s that I truly do not need to figure everything out. God holds all the puzzle pieces and I am relieved that I only need to focus on the piece that is currently in my hands."
So, how can you help Jessica beat Lyme and recover her health? Here are a few suggestions:
- If you are a praying person, Jessica would love prayers for this journey. Please pray not only for healing and provision, but also that she would have hope, peace, and faith in the midst of circumstances that feel wildly out of control.
- If you have the means to do so, please consider contributing to this GoFundMe campaign to assist with covering Jessica's medical bills. Even the smallest donation would make a big difference for her.
- Share encouraging words with Jessica here on her GoFundMe page. One side effect of her illness is that it has isolated her physically and emotionally, so this is one place you can reach out to Jessica to let her know you're thinking of her.
- Share this page with others who would benefit from hearing Jessica's story or would like to support her in her journey.
On behalf of Jessica and her family, thank you for your support and generosity! - Katie and Michelle
