Jessie’s Journey
As you may already know, Jessie was in a car accident on December 10th, 2019. She was T-boned on her driver side, shattering glass in her face and deploying her airbag causing her car to be totaled. She was taken to the hospital immediately for head pain she was experiencing. She had a CT scan to check for damage from the accident. Miraculously, they found no damage from the accident, but instead something much worse. However, it’s a blessing that things were revealed. There were several masses found in Jessie’s brain. After multiple and various tests were conducted which didn’t reveal anything beyond the tumors in her brain, they decided to do her first brain surgery December 17th, 2019 to remove a tumor that was in a relatively safe place considering the risks of the others so that it could be sent off for testing. Her results came back on New Year‘s Eve with a diagnosis of Malignant Multi-Focal Glioblastoma. It is an aggressive brain cancer and depending on who you talk to, some would say it’s terminal. Truth is, it’s a terrible disease (as medical professionals call it) that is not curable, medically speaking. Everything that is being done is to literally extend her life, while trying to maintain her quality of life and keeping the cancer from spreading. The life expectancy varies drastically because of all the factors you have to consider and complications that could arise, as well as the treatments that are being done. As one medical professional explained, “for some we are looking at weeks to months, but for others, it’s months to years.” However, you have to remember that positive mental attitude is a great side dish to this unpalatable plate. We ask that you please only send encouraging words and lots of love to Jessie and her family through all of this. We pray that Jessie’s Journey is a beautiful one where God proves medical wrong and she lives a long life. Let’s focus on making memories and helping to provide the best quality of life for the Rollicks!
Jessie’s doctors had initially made plans to start her on chemotherapy and radiation January 13th, 2020 to allow her time to heal from the first surgery. Friday, January 3rd, they did an MRI and CT scan to make a mask in preparation for radiation. They also prescribed her pain medication for the severe headaches she was experiencing and steroids to minimize swelling and inflammation. They left the hospital and headed to Panera for Jessie’s favorite soup. On the way, they received a phone call to say increase the steroid dose due to a suspected brain bleed. Then they received a second phone call from her medical team, requesting her to return immediately to be put under observation in ICU for two primary goals: 1) Keep swelling at a minimum and 2) Control pain. The following morning, her surgeon came in to say that it was not a brain bleed after all, but that the original blackberry sized tumor, had grown to that of a plum in a matter of days. This caused some bleeding due to the amount of pressure on the brain resulting in the intense pain that was hard to keep under control. Due to this new information, surgery was immediately scheduled for January 5th, 2020, the following day. Jessie and Rob were briefed on the possible deficits as it was highly likely that Jessie would lose a great deal of her vision because of where this tumor was located. Jessie said she would “rather hug her children than see them.“ After a 6-7 hour procedure, that removed about 90% of the tumor, Jessie awoke with most of her vision intact from what we could tell. That’s a miracle! When she was returned to her ICU room, she was accompanied by Stephanie and Melvina who fed her crackers and water, as well her husband Rob. However, so far it has been discovered that she has lost her left peripheral vision and struggles with her vision as a whole in her left eye. She spent only about 48hrs in the hospital following this second surgery and then was discharged. She is currently home, resting and recuperating. She gets easily and incredibly exhausted but she is a fighter!
She has a follow up appointment next week, January 13th, 2020 with her oncologist. It will be up to 4 weeks, as little as 2 before she can begin chemo and radiation because her brain needs time to heal, otherwise there can be adverse outcomes. However, her oncologist is very pleased with her health and her overall outlook, which he stated that positive attitudes help yield better results.
Through all of this, Jessie’s faith has not wavered. She has an army of prayer warriors surrounding her, all across this country and even in others, praying relentlessly for her and encouraging her, as she fights for her life. You would never know this though by her radiant and positive attitude. She is the smiling, positive Jessie that we all know and love. Continue to uplift her because it helps to keep her going!
Whichever direction these plans go, it will be very costly. This is where we need your help. Jessie’s car was completely totaled in the accident and there is no way for the family to afford a replacement vehicle. That was their only working vehicle. Rob has had to take a lot of time off work to take care of his wifeJessie. This includes hospital stays, numerous appointments, medication runs, household errands and the list continues on, but their bills are adding up. This family is just drowning financially and they desperately need our help. If there is any way you can help, no amount is too little! We appreciate every single dollar!!!
If you don’t know the family and their backstory, and what life was like before the accident that found the cancer, please continue to read on and learn about Jessie’s amazing daughter Rebecca, and how truly incredible Jessie is as a mother, giving to charities and helping others every chance she gets. She thrives in connecting people in need and now she is on the flip side of that. Please, can we band together to help this family??? To follow Jessie’s Journey on Facebook and be connected, please visit her page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/532788550653365
Before the accident:
We would love for you to watch the following interview, which was recorded shortly before Jessie’s accident. This was done to talk about Rebecca and her life, but also shows the family together, being silly, and tells a lot about their history. Enjoy...
Jessie's daughter, Rebecca, was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis which is characterized by weak muscles and tendons. I thought Jessie was amazing from the minute we met, the way she raised Rebecca, she’d say, “I did not want Rebecca to feel like a victim so I had to do things a certain way.”. She did what was best for Rebecca no matter how hard it was for her, no matter how many dirty looks she got from others. Jessie knew what her daughter needed, and she gave it 100%. Rebecca grew into a wonderful young lady who, over the years, fell in love with speed and, even with this disability, learned how to not only ride a handcycle but race one. She is now an accomplished athlete who races all over the country and has been awarded over 200 trophies and metals. I credit this strength and talent to her mother for showing her love, both tender and tough. However, with medical bills from various surgeries and expensive equipment (wheelchairs, handcycles, etc..) for Rebecca, the family is left with little else. But Jessie and Rob are ok with that. Rebecca is thriving, and that's all that matters. With as little as they have, Jessie still makes bracelets which she sells and donates all proceeds to charities that help other children with disabilities. You may read more about Rebecca and her disability, and following her racing career at https://www.facebook.com/RollRebecca/
Interview link below. Credit: Tina Clarke from Chesapeake, VA
https://youtu.be/7THsP9XjCnc
