Hi, my name is Jessica Mallard and I’m from Simpson Co. Ky. I have been married for 18yrs to my husband Scott Mallard. I also have 3 biological children Meagan Phelps (19), Hanah Phelps-Mallard (17), and Adalyn Mallard (14). Plus I have custody of my biological niece Arya Phelps (12). I unfortunately caught the spreading parasite known as Cyclospora cayetanensis, I started falling ill on July 4th with stomach pains, diarrhea, nausea, and weakness. I thought I had just your normal stomach bug and self medicated as normal to maybe subside the condition. Well with having these issues persistently for several days following I decided to go to our local emergency room, they ended up admitting me to our local med center, after a day of being there and them not having the capabilities of treating my symptoms they ended up transferring me to the Med Center of Bowling Green Ky. After being admitted there is when I was actually informed of me haveing the parasite. I was under severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, very weak, and not able to eat anything. I was put on a strict liquid diet, had a total of 9 IV’s at different times

supplying me with several different meds. I had to have several x-rays, and few ultrasounds. My magnesium level kept dropping, and my blood pressure was dropping to worrying levels. I was kept under their care from 7/9/2026 until 7/17/2026. While there I was also talked to by CDC and they asked what I had consumed and my eating habits, like I told them I may have one cheat day a week, but I eat a salad every night and it’s the same brand from the same place “Marketside Shredded Iceberg Lettuce” from our local Walmart produced and supplied by “Taylor Farms”. The Med Center wanted to keep me longer just to monitor my magnesium levels, blood pressure, and parasite, but also was in agreement that I could go home, while at the same time I have to monitor my BP myself and was prescribed several meds to help keep fighting this unfortunate illness. I have been out of work this whole time and have been placed off of work for some time afterwards. My husband who is the main income source has had to also miss several days not only to be with me, but also to look after our children. This has unfortunately put us in a financial burden, and not to mention has put me under more stress alongside what I’ve been and currently going through. I have been told or asked by several people if I would be making a gofundme story. This is my story and am asking for help even though it’s not like me to do so. Thanks in advance.