Many of you may have heard by now that the Endres family has had quite an overwhelming medical journey for the past 19months.

Around the middle of August 2023 Jovon, (a correctional officer) was placed in a situation where two young men (inmates at her employment) would become physically aggressive towards staff members. While helping to de-escalate the situation, Jovon would be head butted several times, bitten and struck in the face and head multiple times by one of the inmates who had at the time a loose cuff on making contact to her face/head. Jovon would abstain major nerve damage to her face resulting in many unexpected surgeries following.

In October 2023, she would have her first of two scheduled surgeries completed at Rush Pain Center in Chicago Illinois. This procedure would involve placing a permanent peripheral nerve stimulator with two leads going in her forehead and two leads going under her eye and cheekbone gather alongside the left part of her head down her neck leading to a battery in her chest.

[similar to a pacemaker]

Recovery was going well. Jovon was at a stable state with most her medication being removed and solely depending on the implant. She was even able to return to work with restrictions. May 2024 Jovon would start to notice uncomfortable pain behind her left ear where the anchors held the leads together. The friction of the larger anchors against the inside of skin would become dangerously close to coming out with any contact to the arear. After many trips, appointments and disappointments back at Rush her Nero Pain Surgeon team and a Plastic Surgeon team would now collaborate coming up with the next best alternative.

Throughout the months leading to December 2024, Jovon would be hospitalized on random occasions battling many different infections. She would be referred to several different professionals "second opinion" Ear Nose & Throat Specialist, Ophthalmologist, and even a Nutritionist.

It was all unexplainable, but she was very positive and grateful for both of her teams to come together.

Both teams worked together making what they felt would deliver the best results during this emergency state. Both teams would decide to remove the entire device, treat the infection and have the plastic surgeon reconstruct the area around her neck and head that the leads and anchors had corroded through her skin exposing the device. With little experience on this type of reaction the team believes her body was showing signs of rejecting due to her small structure physical and mental state during this time.

December 18, 2024, the entire device would be removed, and she would be discharged a day later. She would be highly medicated with many of the medication she was cleared from prior, different antibiotic to make sure all infections have been free and pain blockers to get her trough each day. She would leave with her next scheduled surgery being February 24, 2025. The team did advise her that she would be admitted for roughly two days to monitor the wounds and medication levels.

Comes February 26th, she would have major setback while in the hospital. The surgery itself went well but recovery was questionable about discharge. After surgery her blood pressure would continuously fall and stay well under normal results. With this situation, when she is discharged, she will now have to continue injecting herself daily with what could be short/long term. Many of the medications giving during/after surgery caused major side effects: low blood pressure, rashes, mental health concerns, and physical failures. 8 of the 10 IVs administrated blew causing vain rupture, produced extra water and swelling, lack of feeling in arms and fingers. Jovon would become unable to walk by herself, left her arms or even speak for several days due to experiencing severe ticks due to a side effects of one of the medications. Although she does not remember numerous days of her stay, it would be hard on her and her husband during the unknowing state.

Jovon and her husband knew this was going to be a very intense trial and error procedure from the very beginning, but no one is prepared for the unexpected. They have been very happy with both the Rush team and Plastic Surgeon team! Their spirits are high, and they are so thankful for all their family and friends that have given support.

Jovon is still currently admitted at the hospital with the plan to be weaned off all medication given through IVs and have her physically stable and only being managed through oral medications before release.

Family members have set this fund up to help with many of the additional expenses of hours traveling back and forth from many different out of town doctor’s appointments, overnight stays, childcare as well as out of pocket medication and hospital bills. Jovon and her husband have had all the responsibility of paying for these continuous amounts of unexpected expense. Although it was a result of a work injury. Her work benefits have denied all cost after the first surgery. Jovon has been out of work and will be on medical leave without any income for months of recovery.

Chad, Jovon and their two children have been so blessed and overjoyed by all the love and support that has already been given. They ask that you please continue to send thoughts and prayers for all of them. If you are not able to donate, please do not feel as you must. Please write a few words of encouragement and fun stories you may have to share on the family and Jovon as she can keep all the positive vibes going.