Save Jessi Before It's Too Late
Donation protected
Update:
Thanks to the help of so many family, friends, and strangers we were able to raise enough money to get Jessi to Kansas to see some chronic illness specialists out of pocket that believe they can help tackle this medical mystery.
Jessi was shuffled in and out of the ER during her 3-week treatment, and eventually was forced to return to California to be hospitalized at UCSF where her insurance could cover her stay. She had an emergency surgery and was in the high acuity unity for almost 6 weeks while the doctors worked to stabilize her. Unfortunately, due to Medicaid refusing her prescribed medications, some of the damage is beyond repair. Jessi has now been permanently placed on biologic infusions (low dose chemotherapy) that she is required to take every 8 weeks for the rest of her life.
Between pain management and a host of other medications Jessi has successfully transitioned out of the hospital and her family and caregivers are working hard to keep her that way.
Fortunately Medicaid has agreed to cover her hospital bills so far which total well over $500,000 not including her surgery. Thanks to the incredible outpouring of generosity here on GoFundMe Elliott and Jessi were able to fix their car transmission so that Jessi can have reliable gurney transportation to appointments.
Jessi has been approved to return to Kansas for a month to continue her ongoing treatment and her doctors are hopeful that they will be able to make progress to reduce her hospitalizations and keep her out of immediate danger. Right now, Jessi is staying with family in Arizona and has escaped the worst of the power outages and fires in Northern California. Thank you for your ongoing support, prayers, and love in this difficult time.
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Jessi is dying. She and her husband Elliott and service dog Atlas are homeless, living on food stamps, and credit cards, and have run out of treatment options on state funded health insurance.
Jessi has seen over 100 doctors in the last 6 years and she and her husband have spent every penny they have searching for a diagnosis and treatment. When Jessi started having seizures Elliott had to leave his job as an assistant pastor in Northern Virginia to take care of her full time.
Once a famous internationally traveling musician, singer, dancer, and composer, Jessi has lost everything from her ability to walk, sing, and and play any of the 10 instruments she specialized in and is losing her memory. Jessi has to be constantly monitored as she is prone to violent seizures and respiratory distress. Her faithful service dog Atlas stays by her side, alerting to oncoming seizures so Elliott has time to prepare to keep her safe.
With tens of thousands of dollars in outstanding medical debt for failed treatments and an underfunded state medical insurance Jessi has no access to the life saving diagnostics that it will take to keep her alive. She and her husband lost their car in January due to transmission failure while seeking treatments at Stanford and are penniless and desperate. Without drastic medical intervention Jessi will die. We are running out of time.
As she is able Jessi and her husband will be updating her progress here and on social media.
Treatment goals include:
Vehicle to safely transport Jessi to doctor's appointments
Estimated Transmission Repair: $2,500 --- GOAL MET!!!
IV saline infusions to maintain hydration lost through internal bleeding and complications
Estimated Cost Per Month: $700 --- GOAL MET!!!
Funding for emergency surgery, medications, and continuing treatment
Estimated Cost: $15,000 --- GOAL MET!!!
Funding for out of network chronic illness specialists to look at Jessi's medical history, run tests, and recommend treatment.
Estimated Cost: $5,000-$10,000
Referral to Stanford's Undiagnosed clinic for two weeks of testing
Estimated Cost: $1,000
Funding for travel to the nearest Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona and funds for immediate admittance, testing, and treatment.
Estimated Cost: $20,000-$50,000
Thanks to the help of so many family, friends, and strangers we were able to raise enough money to get Jessi to Kansas to see some chronic illness specialists out of pocket that believe they can help tackle this medical mystery.
Jessi was shuffled in and out of the ER during her 3-week treatment, and eventually was forced to return to California to be hospitalized at UCSF where her insurance could cover her stay. She had an emergency surgery and was in the high acuity unity for almost 6 weeks while the doctors worked to stabilize her. Unfortunately, due to Medicaid refusing her prescribed medications, some of the damage is beyond repair. Jessi has now been permanently placed on biologic infusions (low dose chemotherapy) that she is required to take every 8 weeks for the rest of her life.
Between pain management and a host of other medications Jessi has successfully transitioned out of the hospital and her family and caregivers are working hard to keep her that way.
Fortunately Medicaid has agreed to cover her hospital bills so far which total well over $500,000 not including her surgery. Thanks to the incredible outpouring of generosity here on GoFundMe Elliott and Jessi were able to fix their car transmission so that Jessi can have reliable gurney transportation to appointments.
Jessi has been approved to return to Kansas for a month to continue her ongoing treatment and her doctors are hopeful that they will be able to make progress to reduce her hospitalizations and keep her out of immediate danger. Right now, Jessi is staying with family in Arizona and has escaped the worst of the power outages and fires in Northern California. Thank you for your ongoing support, prayers, and love in this difficult time.
---------
Jessi is dying. She and her husband Elliott and service dog Atlas are homeless, living on food stamps, and credit cards, and have run out of treatment options on state funded health insurance.
Jessi has seen over 100 doctors in the last 6 years and she and her husband have spent every penny they have searching for a diagnosis and treatment. When Jessi started having seizures Elliott had to leave his job as an assistant pastor in Northern Virginia to take care of her full time.
Once a famous internationally traveling musician, singer, dancer, and composer, Jessi has lost everything from her ability to walk, sing, and and play any of the 10 instruments she specialized in and is losing her memory. Jessi has to be constantly monitored as she is prone to violent seizures and respiratory distress. Her faithful service dog Atlas stays by her side, alerting to oncoming seizures so Elliott has time to prepare to keep her safe.
With tens of thousands of dollars in outstanding medical debt for failed treatments and an underfunded state medical insurance Jessi has no access to the life saving diagnostics that it will take to keep her alive. She and her husband lost their car in January due to transmission failure while seeking treatments at Stanford and are penniless and desperate. Without drastic medical intervention Jessi will die. We are running out of time.
As she is able Jessi and her husband will be updating her progress here and on social media.
Treatment goals include:
Vehicle to safely transport Jessi to doctor's appointments
Estimated Transmission Repair: $2,500 --- GOAL MET!!!
IV saline infusions to maintain hydration lost through internal bleeding and complications
Estimated Cost Per Month: $700 --- GOAL MET!!!
Funding for emergency surgery, medications, and continuing treatment
Estimated Cost: $15,000 --- GOAL MET!!!
Funding for out of network chronic illness specialists to look at Jessi's medical history, run tests, and recommend treatment.
Estimated Cost: $5,000-$10,000
Referral to Stanford's Undiagnosed clinic for two weeks of testing
Estimated Cost: $1,000
Funding for travel to the nearest Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona and funds for immediate admittance, testing, and treatment.
Estimated Cost: $20,000-$50,000
Organizer and beneficiary
Bud Smith
Organizer
Surprise, AZ
Elliott Smith
Beneficiary
