Jessica and Michael's recovery from severe infection

Hello my name is Emily Monkman and I have created this page to help support Jessica and Michael after Michael developed a rare systemic infection, and subsequent complications. Jessica is an early childhood educator in our community, and my son's teacher. She is also an amazing solo parent to her three year old son Michael, who is a classmate of my children.

Jessica always goes above and beyond to help support, care, and love on the children she teaches. She puts a smile on my son's face every single day and makes him feel special and safe. For that we will always be eternally grateful.

A message from Jessica - My son Michael started to feel sick on February 12th, by February 14th I brought him in to the emergency department at RIH, we were sent to BC Children's hospital by February 15th. Michael caught a rare infection that has spread to his heart, lungs, and was shutting down his kidneys. His heart rate was very high and he lost the ability to walk. After multiple tests and labs it was discovered his infection numbers were at 200, he developed full body swelling and we found two DVT clots in his leg. He was started on three different antibiotics and he was able to get down to one. His vitals were stable after a month and he was on the road to recovery with his infection numbers reducing to 11, but he was still unable to walk and the DTV clot had not shrunk. More tests indicated the infection had spread into the bone in his leg and killed it, although there is still some bone marrow left. He was started on yet another antibiotic and has been moved to the rehabilitation floor to work on hopefully regenerating the bone in his leg and helping to regain strength and the ability to walk.

Jessica has been by Michael's side throughout his journey, and has been unable to work at all during this difficult time. Michael and Jessica will likely be at BC children's for at least another month or more depending on how well his rehab goes, and once they are able to safety return to Kamloops Michael's recovery journey will continue with more rehabilitation and follow ups required.

As Jessica takes care of my family every single week, and the children of so many other families in our community I wanted to be able to help lessen some of the burden on her shoulder's so she can focus on being a mom without anxiety about the future. It is hard to know what treatments or programs Michael may need or how long Jessica will be away from work to care for him, any proceeds will go towards expenses incurred now or into the future for their family.

Please help to share this page and support an amazing teacher, mother, and friend during this incredibly challenging time. Michael is a strong little guy and has strong mother by his side through everything.