JoAnn Hodges-Velayo

     As most of you know, JoAnn tested positive for COVID in mid-April. Other than being extremely tired, she was doing well for the first five days. Suddenly, JoAnn lost her ability to speak. While seeing doctors, she continued to decline and became unresponsive. The doctors do not believe this is COVID-related.

 

     JoAnn was admitted to Kaiser and underwent several tests to determine what has happened and why she was in this condition. She has undergone multiple MRIs, CAT scans, spinal taps, blood work, etc. Kaiser discovered she was having non-convulsive seizures and put her on an anti-seizure medication. Hoping to stimulate brain activity, Kaiser performed a series of plasmapheresis treatments over two weeks. Plasmapheresis involves removing blood through a needle or catheter and circulating it through a machine where the blood is separated into red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. The plasma, which is the fluid content of the blood, is discarded and replaced with a substitution fluid (mainly albumin solution). The doctors told her husband, Rick, it will take more than two weeks to see a change.

 

     Last week (6/21) on Tuesday, JoAnn’s family moved her to a skilled nursing facility, Cupertino Health Care. We don’t know the prognosis at this time, but everyone is staying positive. 

 

If you would like to donate to support the family with their many out of pocket costs, please feel free to contribute.