"Over the past 3 years, Jolene has undergone 5 different surgeries, which have required several months each of being off work to recover. After her last surgery, her chronic back pain of 18 years increased dramatically. She had an epidural injection to try and get some pain relief on November 18. Throughout the month of November she got more and more exhausted and fatigued. Thanksgiving weekend she felt worse and worse, which ended up with her collapsing unresponsive at home on December 2. Thankfully, Pat and Judah were home and called 911. Paramedics thought she was having a stroke, because on the way to the hospital her speech got worse and she couldn’t feel her feet at all. Also, her left arm kept flopping off the gurney and she had no control over her limbs. Once at the hospital, a battery of tests showed no sign of brain bleeds or stroke, no tumors, no cancer. An echo of her heart and carotid arteries looked good. All reasons to Praise the Lord! Finally, an EEG of the brain showed seizure activity. They also think it could still possibly be TIA, which is like a mini stroke. They started her on anti-seizure meds and she was discharged on December 7 to go home and follow up with a neurologist, whom she couldn't get an appointment to see in person until December 28.
Since being home, she’s had intense light sensitivity, which triggers the seizures. The flashing of headlights at night, the sun flashing between the trees, the flashing of the TV, and even cell phone light and computer light is too much. Fluorescent lights have also triggered them. Reading has even triggered seizures.
Thankfully, the seizures she has are not the convulsive kind, they are the kind that she will just zone out and look like she’s totally out of it, or she will fall and look like she’s unconscious.
Right now she needs 24/7 supervision as she can go “out of it” or just drop at any time. Many times she will have signs they are coming, but many times not too. Her left leg drags and sometimes her right. She has to concentrate very hard for her leg not to drag.
She is scheduled for another EEG of the brain in January. They are hoping to get a referral to UCSF as soon as possible and find answers as to what is causing these.
Neither Pat or Jolene are able to work at this time due to her ongoing care. They are just beginning to get their medical bills delivered to them. They would appreciate your prayers and any financial support you can offer."
Since being home, she’s had intense light sensitivity, which triggers the seizures. The flashing of headlights at night, the sun flashing between the trees, the flashing of the TV, and even cell phone light and computer light is too much. Fluorescent lights have also triggered them. Reading has even triggered seizures.
Thankfully, the seizures she has are not the convulsive kind, they are the kind that she will just zone out and look like she’s totally out of it, or she will fall and look like she’s unconscious.
Right now she needs 24/7 supervision as she can go “out of it” or just drop at any time. Many times she will have signs they are coming, but many times not too. Her left leg drags and sometimes her right. She has to concentrate very hard for her leg not to drag.
She is scheduled for another EEG of the brain in January. They are hoping to get a referral to UCSF as soon as possible and find answers as to what is causing these.
Neither Pat or Jolene are able to work at this time due to her ongoing care. They are just beginning to get their medical bills delivered to them. They would appreciate your prayers and any financial support you can offer."
Organizer and beneficiary
Jolene Corkwell
Beneficiary