Jerika’s Medical Bills

Hi, my name is Julie Ann Labson and I am raising money for my best friend Jerika Thompson. Jerika is a friend to many, a loving wife, and a mother of 4. When Jason and Jerika are not taking care of their own children; they have their doors wide open for any child who needs a place to stay or a meal to eat. Jerika is loved by so many. She knows no stranger. She has the most generous heart of gold, and those that know her, know this beyond a doubt.

I am starting this fundraiser to help Jerika and Jason will the medical bills that will soon come pouring in. Jerika is a normally very healthy person. She is 33 years old and enjoys spending her free time with her family and children. She exercises regularly, cardio, weight lifting, and eats healthy. Since her diagnosis of Celiacs and Chrons disease several years ago, she made all the necessary changes to her diet and lifestyle such as being gluten free. She has never smoked a day in her life, and just always taken great care of herself.

We were all shocked on February 23rd when Jerika went into the Emergency room with stroke like symptoms. What she thought initially was neck pain, had gotten worse when her arm got heavy, speech became slurred and delayed, and then she couldn’t move her arm.

Many questions were left unanswered for a week, she was told everything was negative, and was told maybe she had TIA or maybe it was her neck. We were not sure. She was sent home from the hospital without answers, and shortly after her pain became excruciating. She sat at home for days waiting in agony for an outpatient follow up with the neurologist, dealing with the burning pain in her arm, limited mobility of her neck to the left and severe headaches.

She received a phone call that her outpatient neurologist wanted to reschedule 4 days further out, she was desperate for help. She had been missing work and in so much pain; she couldn’t wait four more days! Desperate, Jason reached out to Dr. Afshar (neurosurgeon) begging for help, Afshar had been helping them all along as a Jason had previous back surgery with him few years ago and they remained friends afterwards. It is safe to say Dr. Afshar saved Jerika’s life. He took the time to listen, care and we know he saved Jerika’s life as we were told she was hours away from having a massive stroke without the medications she needed to be on!! He made an apt to see Jerika. He personally reviewed the MRI that was done previously at The hospital and told her, she needed to return to ER immediately for further imaging as he thought something had been missed. Sure enough, Jason and Jerika did as they were told and received the confirmation, that Jerika has a 5” dissection of her right vertebral artery. Finally answers!! But still so much left unknown.

She was transferred to Tradition ICU, underwent a cerebral angiogram which diagnosed her with FMD- FIBROMUSCULAR Dysphagia. Her dissection is not repairable. According to the neurointerventionalists it can take up to a year to heal on its own. She will be on plavix, aspirin, and cholesterol medications for the rest of her life- Jerika is at major risk of having a stroke and these medications will hopefully prevent that from happening. Jerika has been diagnosed with Wallenberg syndrome, and She also tested positive for APS a connective tissue disorder therefore she needs rheumatology consult for further information regarding this.

She will have many restrictions from here on out. Even after it heals it will always be a soft vulnerable spot, therefore no weight lifting or straining, no boating, no roller coasters. Nothing that the neck is hyperextended for prolonged periods of time such as going to the hair salon. She has to even be careful lifting her children while it heals.

Given the fact that Jerika is still suffering from the burning pain from her neck to her arm and headaches constantly she is unable to return to work at this time. She went from never taking medications to now living on medications constantly and still living in pain. The pain medications are not touching the pain- as nerve pain is very hard to treat and manage. She does not like being groggy and not feeling in control of her body, so she would prefer not To use narcotics if possible. The gabapentin is not helping yet at this time. We are hoping and praying as the dissection heals, her pain will lessen and go away as well. Per the doctors, only time will tell. She continues to have right arm weakness and limited mobility on the left side of her neck which means she cannot drive at this time. Due to cerebral ischemia she has permanent brain damage to temperature on right side of neck and arm. Taking showers are painful, even the clothing touching the arm is painful. We are unsure when she will go back to work. This upcoming year is going to be rough as she heals and she needs all the support she can get.

As most people know, Jason and Jerika are building a house right now, and they have four children to take care of. Jason missed a lot of work while Jerika was in pain and hospitalized for her support, and he is returning to work as he is able pending Jerika’s improvement. Jerika is not one to ask for help, and has not ever received a hand out, but I know Jerika has so many people who love her and want to help. So many people have reached out to her family and I asking how they could help. So we have decided to start this go fund me page to help them with the Out of pocket expenses medically, to meet their deductible. I know she will have many doctor appointments this year, between rheumatology and neurology and primary care visits as well as follow ups with diagnostics to check on her dissection. She starts occupational therapy on the 21st and we are hopeful for improvement and healing.

We truly appreciate everyone who has offered to help with the kids, made food for dinners, said a prayer, or kept the Thompson’s in your thoughts. We love you all and thank you for helping them through this hard time.