Joan’s Road to Recovery: Strength, Faith, and Hope in Action

Update – February 18

Over the past two weeks, we’ve found ourselves in a much slower-moving process. After a brief period of being able to eat, mom encountered another serious obstacle, leading to multiple CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs. These tests revealed a pseudoaneurysm located between her inflamed pancreas and intestines, creating a stricture (a severe restriction, nearly a complete blockage) in her upper GI tract.

In response, her diet was completely cut—no food or liquids for eight days—while an arterial IV was placed to provide nutrition, as her body was already critically low on all levels. During this time, several organ systems showed signs of regression, making it a delicate and urgent situation.

However, in the midst of uncertainty, we received a sign of hope—follow-up tests showed that the pseudoaneurysm was beginning to heal itself. The bleeding stopped, its size decreased, and the pressure on the intestines eased, allowing them to start reopening. This past week, mom was able to transition to a liquid diet, and she has continued to make progress since.

On Saturday, February 17, she was moved from the step-down unit to a lower level of care as she prepares for discharge.

Before this most recent setback, mom was approved for inpatient rehab to continue her recovery. However, on February 15, we were informed that this approval was revoked. As of yesterday, February 16, different rehab programs were being discussed, and today we are still waiting on more information and exploring additional options.

The mission is far from over, and we’ve found ourselves in a completely different battle at this time. But through everything, God has continued to bless, heal, and protect mom, even when the medical professionals who handle these cases daily didn’t think she’d make it this far.

Mom has touched many hearts in this hospital, and we have witnessed God move in ways we never expected over this last month. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to even be able to type this update today.

With a grateful heart,

Jacob

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•Beginning of Mom's Journey•

Our beloved mom, Joan, has always been a pillar of strength, faith, and love for our family, community, and those around her. Just weeks ago, she began experiencing what appeared to be a typical chest cold. Today, she is in the ICU, with minimal movement in her body and ability to operate on her own, but she remains in the favor of God, surrounded by His love and protection. We are sharing her story with a humble heart, asking for your prayers and support as she walks through this challenging journey toward recovery.

About two to three weeks ago, our Mom Joan, developed a chest cold. She sought medical care on January 14 for a lingering cough and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. She was prescribed antibiotics and sent home. However, by Friday evening, January 17, she began to experience an unusual tingling and numbness in her arms, legs, hands, and feet. This progressed to extreme weakness, leaving her extremely worried and unable to exhibit typical motor functions for herself.

Despite her own strength of will, Mom called for an ambulance and was taken to the Emergency Room. She was later discharged with a diagnosis of a reaction to the antibiotics. The following morning, still feeling weak and uneasy, she asked me to pick her up upon being discharged. We did everything we could to follow the ER’s guidance and ensure her comfort, but her condition worsened significantly overnight.

Early Sunday morning, January 19, I drove Mom to a different hospital for a second opinion. It was clear something was deeply wrong. After sharing her symptoms and condition, the doctors immediately ordered tests and admitted her for further care.

By Monday, January 21, her care team suspected that her symptoms might be related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system, potentially triggered by a recent virus. While this remains the leading diagnosis, it has yet to be confirmed. Her condition progressed at a rate I couldn't previously have fathomed causing sudden life threatening conditions; Mom was moved to the ICU, placed on a ventilator, and has since required constant monitoring to stabilize her blood pressure and heart rate while continuing around the clock testing, including a 3.5 hour MRI to rule out all possibilities.

Joan remains in critical condition, unable to move her arms, legs, or torso. Her lungs showed some improvement Wednesday, 1/23, allowing her to breathe under her own power for 3.5 hours. Thursday, 1/24, her heart rate and blood pressure were extremely high and during her breathing exam, was only able to breathe on her own for a very short time, leading to concern. Upon further review, tests revealed that she had picked up a bacterial infection in her lungs. However, there have been small signs of progress, and we are holding steadfast to hope and faith. She has started to make small movements in her feet and hands. Each day, we pray, support, worship, monitor, and advocate with and for her toward more healing and strength to return to her body.

She is battling several complications, including high blood pressure and a bacterial lung infection, which her medical team is addressing with care. Joan has always been a devout woman of faith, and even in her current state, she worships, listens to sermons, and prays when she has the energy. Her love for Jesus Christ is unwavering, and we find comfort knowing that His arms are wrapped around her through this trial.

As a family, we are humbly asking for your help during this unexpected time of hardship. All donations will be used to support Joan’s recovery and expenses as we navigate this challenging journey. With her current condition, we are unsure when she will be able to return to work. The neurologist has provided an extremely wide time frame for recovery, as her diagnosis remains uncertain. If Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is confirmed, recovery could take months to over a year.

Her journey includes:

-Hospital Stay (ICU, IMCU, STANDARD care levels)

-in-hospital and Post-hospital physical therapy

-occupational Therapy in & post

-speech therapy

-post-hospital in-patient rehabilitation

- Current and future Personal expenses (home, auto, insurance, utilities, and other obligations)

- Uncertain timeframe away from work (as of current, expected time frame of recovery aligned with progress will be 6 months - 1.5 years.)

Your contributions will allow us to focus on her care and ensure she receives the medical support and resources she needs to recover fully and as quickly as possible.

We are deeply grateful for your prayers, kindness, and generosity during this time. Your support provides not only financial relief but also emotional strength as we walk alongside our Mom on her path to healing.

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❤️ UPDATE: February 1❤️‍

Here with another update on Mom’s journey, and while this one comes with challenges, we remain steadfast in faith and hope for her full recovery.

On January 30th, Mom showed major improvement in her determination and spirit. She was eager to know when physical therapy (PT) would arrive and had a strong will to do whatever it took to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. When PT arrived, they evaluated her for eligibility in an inpatient rehab program. We learned that these facilities only accept a limited number of patients due to high demand, making it a very selective process.

During the PT session, they aimed to assess her strength by sitting her up, moving her to a seated position, and testing an assisted standing mechanism. However, Mom experienced significant stress and pain during this process. With PT doing 85% of the work, she was only able to sit up for about 10-15 seconds before needing to lay back down. The therapist was somewhat surprised by her lack of mobility but expressed that she would discuss with her team about getting Mom into inpatient rehab—something we deeply need for her recovery.

Another milestone that day was completing the swallow assessment, which allowed her to transition to a chopped food diet. This was a promising sign that her throat swelling and inflammation were decreasing. She was able to enjoy small portions of lunch and dinner, feeling grateful for a bit of normalcy again.

However, finding availability in inpatient rehab proved difficult. Her first-choice facility had no openings, so she selected another option while also coming to the realization of having to conside part-time therapy alternatives in case full-time rehab wasn't an option.

On January 31st, Mom woke up, had breakfast, and PT returned for another session. This time, we made a breakthrough! She was able to sit up, stand using a walker (with assistance), pivot, and sit into a recliner. Although uncomfortable, it was a crucial step toward progress. Sitting upright helped her circulation, relieved pressure from being bedridden for so long, and signaled another victory in her recovery.

The biggest news of the day came when the patient care team informed us that Mom was approved for full-time inpatient rehab at her second-choice facility! This was an incredible blessing. After speaking with the admissions representative, we learned about the rigorous selection criteria—one major requirement being that she must have a full-time caregiver once discharged to prevent regression. We were prepared to do anything necessary to ensure that all requirements are met.

Unfortunately, by late morning on January 31st, Mom began experiencing severe nausea and vomiting, which continued throughout the entire day and into today, and now (1:15 on 2/3) "tomorrow." Despite receiving two IV anti-nausea medications, nothing alleviated her symptoms. Dehydration set in quickly, requiring fluids and a no-food diet, setting back the progress she had made earlier in the week.

By 2:00 AM on February 1st, doctors performed an X-ray, followed by another at 9:45 AM. While no immediate blockage was visible, the scans revealed that contrast dye from the swallow assessment two days prior was still sitting in her system—something that should have cleared within hours. This raised serious concerns about possible organ dysfunction, sepsis, gastrointestinal obstruction, or paralytic ileus (intestinal paralysis). Her white blood cell count, which had been improving after her pneumonia battle, spiked again, suggesting her body was fighting something new.

A CT scan is needed to confirm whether there is a blockage, but with the contrast dye still in her system, the imaging would be unreadable. Right now, the medical team is working on ways to clear the contrast so we can proceed with the CT scan as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Mom is currently resting but very weak. She was not interested in a bath or any movement today, as the nausea has been relentless. While this setback is discouraging, we remain hopeful and continue advocating for answers and solutions. Our focus remains on stabilizing her condition so she can resume the rehab process and keep moving toward full recovery.

We cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers, messages, and generosity in donating to help Moms chances at a full recovery. Your support means the world to us and gives Mom the strength she needs to keep fighting. I will update you as soon as we have more clarity on the next steps.

With gratitude and faith,

Jacob

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UPDATE: February 5

Mom was eating and drinking okay Friday until about 10 a.m. Then she began feeling nauseous and vomiting bile, which lasted for three days. On Monday, they placed an NG tube to drain her stomach while they determine the cause and solution. Since then, the vomiting has ceased.

On Tuesday, 2/4, she underwent an endoscopy, which revealed several concerns, the most critical being that her duodenum (the first section of the intestines just after the stomach) is almost completely shut. Today, she is undergoing further testing to assess whether it has opened and to determine the best course of action for treatment.

While this may sound straightforward, it is significantly complicated by Mom's overall health. She has not been able to eat or drink since Friday. If her bowels are not functioning, she cannot absorb nutrients, and her body is growing weaker. Given that her nervous and muscular systems have already been attacked and shut down, this lack of nutrition is an urgent concern. Due to her condition, she was not strong enough to undergo multiple tests in a single day, which has resulted in necessary delays.

Surgery would be extremely risky, and her paralyzed bowels present a critical danger. We are caught in a vicious cycle: her weakness prevents necessary procedures, but each delay further depletes her strength. This is an incredibly fragile situation requiring precise navigation.

Today, we ask for heavy prayer. We are trusting in God because, without Him, this feels like a lose-lose situation.

Thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts, kind words, and financial contributions. Your support continues to help cover the costs of necessary testing and procedures, her extended hospital stay (week 3, day 3), and the opportunity for the highest level of rehabilitation once she is able to leave. Additionally, it assists with her outside obligations, as she will likely be out of work for months.

We appreciate all of you more than words can express.

-Jacob