Support Jen's Journey

Vibrant, caring and affectionately referred to as the life of the party, everyone knew when Jennifer "Jenny" Joy Connor Keohane entered the room. At first glance, it was Jenny’s hair that made a lasting impression- “always fluff, never flatten!” was Jenny’s motto- the bigger the hair, the better! Jen is a nana, mother, sister, wife and friend to all. Always willing to help, excited to plan and throw events just to bring people together and always thinking about her children and granddaughters - Jen is the light and joy of so many people’s lives.

On December 11, 2022 as Jen and her husband Jerry drove home from Sunday morning mass, Jenny began to experience the worst headache of her life. That night, Jen’s loved ones gathered at the hospital and in tearful agony said their goodbyes. Devastated, heartbroken and in disbelief, the matriarch of their family had suffered a ruptured aneurysm at just 61 years old.

That night Jen lay on life support as the medical staff kept her organs healthy for donation. Having been a nurse for the past 15 years, Jen’s family knew how important it would be to her to continue to help and give life to others in need.

The following morning as Jen’s family was just beginning the long and nearly unbearable grieving process, they received a phone call they never expected. During the night the doctors had detected brain activity and said they could attempt life-saving surgery to try and repair the aneurysm and stop the bleeding. Without an ounce of hesitation, as any family would do, Jen’s family gave the doctors the go-ahead. As her family waited, holding onto hope during that initial surgery, finally they received the news…Jen’s surgery was successful! It was a true miracle that she was still here. However, nothing could have prepared Jen’s loved ones for what they would see when they entered her hospital room later that day.

Part of Jen’s skull had to be removed and she was intubated. Jen lay there, a fraction of the animated and spirited woman she was just 24 hours prior.

The doctors informed Jen’s family that there were no guarantees and that it would be a long and slow road ahead. Amazingly, over the next few weeks, Jen began to thrive; she could briefly open her eyes and squeeze a hand to acknowledge that her husband and children were there. As weeks went on, she continued to heal. During Jen’s five weeks in the ICU word quickly spread around the hospital as nurses and doctors began to fondly refer to her as the “Christmas Miracle”.

Despite Jen’s progress she continued to struggle without feeling on her left side which has affected her balance and ability to sit upright. After several weeks in the hospital, Jen was transferred to a Traumatic Brain Injury rehab center outside of Albany where the focus became getting Jen’s tracheotomy out and relearning how to eat solid foods. With her sense of humor and joyful spirit leading the way - Jen continued intense physical, occupational and speech therapy for four weeks. Despite being two hours from home, her loving husband and children were right by her side. At the end of February, Jen was transferred back to Syracuse to a local rehab where she has continued to work hard to heal.

While focusing on continued visits with Jen and trying to remain hopeful, Jen’s family recently received devastating news that after April 1, 2023, Jenny’s insurance would no longer provide her continued care in the rehab facility - ending her therapies that are so vital to her recovery. Still unable to feel her left side which requires two people to help move Jen and with months of necessary therapies still needed, Jen’s family is now grappling with how to continue to provide the care that she needs without the financial support of her insurance company. With her cranioplasty surgery and recovery ahead, not only does Jen still need immediate therapy and care, but she will likely require long-term care and medical necessities such as a wheelchair, bed lift and ADA modifications like a wheelchair ramp just so she can return to her home.

Friends and loved ones have watched as Jen’s family has remained strong in the face of absolute despair from losing their mom and wife to now having a second chance. We are hoping that this forum provides an opportunity for so many who have reached out and asked about ways to help. The financial burden that Jenny’s family now faces just to continue her basic and crucial care is insurmountable at up to $1,000.00 per day. Any monetary donation will be greatly and forever appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please keep Jenny and her family in your prayers as they continue to navigate this journey and the long road ahead. #JoyStrong