Help Us Reclaim Jasmine's Health

Life can change in an instant, and for our beloved Jasmine, it did just that. We invite you to join us on this challenging journey as we work tirelessly to bring back the bright, energetic, and loving child we once knew.

Jasmine's Journey: One moment, Jasmine was the epitome of childhood joy—happy, silly, full of life, and full of energy. She was respectful, kind, loving, independent, and always had a smile on her face. Then, like the flip of a light switch, everything changed.

In May of 2022, Jasmine's life took a dramatic turn. She became silent, almost mute, struggled with sleep, and had a distorted relationship with food. She started seeing and hearing things that weren't there, and an overwhelming fear consumed her. The child who once enjoyed her favorite activities was now trapped in a nightmare, measuring her arms and legs constantly.

Jasmine's regression was alarming, and the fear that something would happen to her loved ones added to the burden she carried. This nightmare has persisted for sixteen agonizing months, filled with uncertainty and countless medical appointments.

The Cyst on Her Brain: Our journey led us to the discovery of an arachnoid cyst on Jasmine's right frontal lobe. Initial medical opinions suggested it might be the cause of her symptoms, but subsequent evaluations concluded that the cyst was a benign neighbor to her brain, causing no harm.

The Search for Answers: We embarked on a relentless quest to find answers and bring Jasmine back to us. We consulted numerous neurologists and psychiatrists who couldn't provide a clear diagnosis because her symptoms didn't neatly fit into a single category. We felt like ping pong balls, bouncing back and forth between specialists.

Treatment and Medication: Jasmine was put on various medications to address her auditory and visual hallucinations, including Risperidone, but with minimal relief. In October, she entered a partial hospitalization program where her medications were adjusted, and a diagnosis of OCD, Anxiety, and Major Depression was given.

As time passed, her outbursts and violent episodes escalated, leaving us on edge and desperate for a solution. Medication changes, including a high dose of Zyprexa, brought limited improvement but came with undesirable side effects.

Choosing a Different Path: Recognizing the need for an alternative approach, we decided to wean Jasmine off medications and explore other options. We sought a second opinion and consulted a functional medicine doctor who diagnosed her with PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome/Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and just discovered Lyme Disease as well.

The Road Ahead: Our current focus is on a medication washout, reducing inflammation, healing Jasmine's gut, and continuing therapy. We are eager to see what the next three months bring as we pursue this new avenue of treatment.

Support Needed: Throughout this journey, I've missed a significant amount of work, needing to be with Jasmine around the clock. In 2022, I worked sporadically, and in 2023, I had to quit my job due to her severe anxiety and OCD. Despite the challenges, we've managed to survive on a fraction of our income, thanks to God's grace and finding remote work from home.

Now, we face the financial burden of Jasmine's treatment plan, including medical expenses and therapies. We humbly ask for your support to help us provide the care and resources needed to bring our precious Jasmine back to health.

Conclusion: As we navigate this challenging path toward Jasmine's recovery, we are grateful for your prayers, support, and kindness. Your contribution will make a significant difference in her life and bring hope to our family. We believe that with your help, Jasmine can emerge from this darkness and once again be the happy, loving child she was meant to be.

Thank you for being part of our journey.