Julissa Mojarras is an Occupational Therapist (OT) in Fresno, California. She began working as an OT in a hospital setting which she enjoyed doing for around 6 years. Julissa really loved working with children while in the hospital and felt called to continue her work as an OT in the education system. She currently works with kids from kindergarten to eighth grade who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Julissa had just started her summer break when suddenly on June 28, 2021 her life would forever be changed.

That Monday morning was like any other morning, she woke up and took a shower to start her day. While she was in the shower she began experiencing flashing floaters, shakiness, abdominal pain, extreme irritability and anxiety. She had no idea what was happening to her but she knew she had to tell her Mom right away that something was definitely wrong. Her family ran upstairs to her room to find Julissa sitting on her bed in a towel shaking and appearing weak. She struggled to tell them what was wrong but her family sprang into action. Julissa is a diabetic, her blood sugar was checked and her blood pressure was taken. Her blood sugar was 182 which is not likely to cause the symptoms she was experiencing. Her blood pressure registered at 85/71, which meant that she was close to fainting. They didn’t know it then but this was the beginning of Julissa’s and her family’s current nightmare.

Over the next week, Julissa would undergo several labs to check her blood and urine. She would also have an MRI, a CT scan and ultrasounds of her abdomen completed. She was unable to urinate despite drinking copious amounts of water. Eventually, she was able to provide a small sample, the color was intriguing and alarming as it was the color of coco-cola. On July 3, 2021, Julissa received a phone call from her Primary Care Physician (PCP) saying Julissa needed to go to the Emergency Room (ER) within the hour. Her blood platelet level was at 25,000, which is very low. A normal range for blood platelets is anywhere from 150,000 to 350,000.

Julissa’s blood platelet level would drop to a devastating 8,000 by the time her first lab was performed in the ER. By the Grace of God, Julissa had an ER Doctor who started her on a steroid drip because he thought she might have a blood disorder called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). He was wrong but he still saved Julissa’s life by placing her on that steroid drip. Later that same day, Julissa would be told by a Hematologist Oncologist that she has an ultra-rare blood disorder called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). This blood disorder is characterized by a low blood platelet count that can be life threatening. Essentially, blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout Julissa’s body, which then block the flow of oxygen to her organs and brain. Although this is an incurable blood disease, it can be manageable with proper medical care and regular treatment in some cases.

Over the next two weeks, Julissa would have to return two more times to the ER due to low blood platelet counts. That’s a total of three admissions to the ICU in three weeks. However, the third time would prove to be the most terrifying experience for Julissa and her family. On July 19, 2021, Julissa was supposed to have a follow up doctor’s visit for her new diagnosis and to begin treatment. She was called by her Hematologist’s Medical Assistant (MA) stating that she needs to go back to the ER. The labs Julissa completed the Friday before indicated she was having another relapse. Julissa went back to the ER as instructed by her Doctor.

As we drove her to the ER, she seemed tired but not in terrible shape. Her condition would deteriorate quickly as Julissa would soon become disoriented to the point of not knowing where she was or what was going on. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, family members are not allowed at the hospital while a patient is in the ER. We were not able to stay with Julissa so we had no way of knowing what was going on once Julissa became disoriented. Her Hematologist and his MA called us later that evening to explain that Julissa was undergoing a treatment called Plasmapheresis to help elevate her blood platelet count.

Julissa would subsequently need a blood transfusion and due to having multiple seizures she would need to be intubated. Julissa was unable to clear her passageway and the Doctors in the ICU feared that she would possibly develop pneumonia. On top of this diagnosis, Julissa only has her left lung and a third of her right lung. When she was a child she developed an infection in her right lung called Aspergillosis. Unfortunately, she would have two of the three lobes in her right lung removed due to the extent of the infection. Julissa had to fight for her life when she was a child and now she is fighting again. She was in the ICU for seven days this time and she survived! She is still in the hospital and will likely be there for another two weeks.

I am writing this detailed account of my sister Julissa’s current medical situation because we are in desperate need of financial assistance. Since my sister will not be able to return to work this August due to her diagnosis and fragile health condition, she will be without any insurance to help cover her medical procedures. We are doing our best to find her another plan that we can afford to cover her medications. Just for example, one dose of Caplacizumab, which is just one of my sister’s medications, costs $7,700. One completed therapy session of that same medication costs $270,000. We are doing everything we can to help Julissa survive this hospitalization. Julissa is a daughter to two strong and loving parents and she is a sibling to two sisters who adore everything about her. She has countless prayers being said for her on a daily basis and we are so very grateful for all the love she is being shown. Prayers are always needed for Julissa, medical staff and our family. As her family, we pray you may find it in your heart to help my sister and my parent’s daughter, Julissa Mojarras, with any amount possible. No amount is too small or insignificant. We appreciate you taking the time to read this summary about our dear Julissa. God Bless and Be Well.