Support Jan's Journey to Full Recovery

Jan is one of my dearest friends. Our close friendship goes back almost 50 years to our college days. She has been a single mom since her daughter, Elli, was three, survived cancer in her 40's, and then was diagnosed with lupus which she has struggled with for almost 20 years. Even though the lupus took a toll on her body, it never stopped her from living the fullest of lives—homeschooling Elli, teaching several subjects dear to her heart in the local homeschool group, planning events and adventures for Elli and her many students, counseling clients, and sharing devotional posts on her Deep Calls to Deep Facebook page.

She has always had an infectious spirit--whether it is her sense of adventure, her joie de vivre, her deep spiritual connection to God whom she loves and serves, her inspirational counsel and writings, or her extravagant celebrations of life. Countless lives have been touched, moved, and yes, changed by her generous and anointed spirit. It is a great gift to me and many others that God spared her and brought her back to us during a recent, sudden, nearly catastrophic health event.

On Christmas Eve, after a trip to the ER for what she thought was a severe respiratory infection, Jan lost consciousness for five days. It seems she had a severe reaction to a new medication recently prescribed by her doctor. This led to diastolic heart failure combined with kidney and then respiratory failure. In other words, the severe reaction to the medication caused sepsis.

Because her carbon dioxide levels were so high she was put on a ventilator for four days, in spite of the fact patients often do not come off them alive or without major health issues caused by the ventilator itself. Another concern was brain damage from the previously high carbon dioxide levels. Due to the kidney failure, she was put on dialysis--also a risk since once on kidney dialysis, patients are often not able to come off the treatment for the rest of their lives. In spite of these risks, and what I sincerely believe was an answer to the many prayers that were lifted up on Jan's behalf, she regained consciousness with no brain damage and her kidneys started functioning again so the dialysis could be discontinued. When you consider the cancer she survived many years ago and 20 years of lupus with all its associated health issues, her survival was miraculous.

When she finally recovered consciousness, however, she could barely move her body. Muscle strength was already an issue for her due to the many years of lupus, and this episode intensified that loss significantly. After two weeks in the hospital she was transferred to rehab, extremely weak, where she began the difficult journey back to mobility and independence. After 3+ weeks in rehab, she came home where she has continued the recovery process with physical and occupational therapy and rest. At this point she still needs to use a wheelchair and walker for mobility. Many changes have had to be made in her home so she can live independently after Elli, who has been home since Christmas, returns to NYC.

As you may realize, she has lost two and a half months of income at this point and is only slowly getting back to her counseling/life coaching schedule now. There are medical expenses and home care expenses she will have to cover. And she will continue to need outside assistance for some time. If you feel led to donate to the many expenses associated with her recovery, she would be so blessed. Any amount will help with her financial expenses. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery. Every expression of love and concern is deeply appreciated.