Last Tuesday I flew to Ohio facing dreadful news that my sister was beginning to suffer organ failure. Ten days of a high fever and fighting pneumonia were taking their toll. Our family and friends rallied to Jennifer’s side. Thursday, January 5th we were told by doctors that Jennifer’s prognosis was very poor. I left my sister’s bed side along with my youngest sister Karen, to prepare our 91year old mother for the worst possible scenario. Jennifer’s kidneys were not working, requiring dialysis. Her body was carrying over 40 pounds of excess weight due to water retention. Her blood pressure was not maintainable without medicines. She was not able to put two words together. We were at the worst we have been.
Friday little improvements began with an increasing white cell count and a feeding tube was put in place to provide her body some protein. Dialysis was keeping her neutral and blood pressure meds were reduced. Saturday we saw another jump in those transplanted cells from our brother Gene and her mental status showed the slightest improvement. Dialysis was increased to begin removing fluids! Sunday more improvement was shown in white counts and in mental status. She was actually able to put two words together!
Monday was a solid break thru! Blood counts off the wall, mental status vastly improved with actually conversation! Bored and wanting her computer and she actually ate solid food!! I left her room and the hospital and am returning to Boston knowing we had faced death square in the face and said not now!
Jennifer remembers little of the past week. The stream of visitors. The sitting at her bedside holding her hand and reading, her husband at a constant vigil and her kids wanting to be close staying over night at the hospital all were acts of love to will her on. Science absolutely plays a major role in where we are today. Science enabled our brothers cells to be implanted once again and fused with Jennfier. The care Jennifer has received and the power of not just the care but the care in its delivery were major factors in getting us to where we are today. However, sheer determination to live and a belief in the greater power that Jennifer holds, along with the love of family, friends and strangers also played a role in bringing her back to us.
We will have peaks and valleys, but we marvel in today and all it has brought us and have renewed hope for tomorrow!
BELIEVE and NEVER STOP BELIEvING. Jennifer is a great example of where believing can delivery you!
The “oldest” sister
Nora
Our God is one of miracles…and we have just witnessed one! We love you, Jennifer, and are so happy to have you back! So happy for your whole family!