Jessica’s Fund: Digestive Issues

"...overwhelmed with medical costs."

Jessica has struggled with chronic digestive issues including severe stomach pains and fatigue for 10 years now. She is a bright young lady who has plans to be an engineer when she gets older and her 3.8GPA proves she has the intelligence to fulfil her dream. These issues with her digestive tract have caused her to miss quite a lot of school, field trips, dances, and birthday parties including several of her own. These GI problems have also deflated her self-esteem and self-worth.

For 10 years we've tried medication, food restriction, psychological therapy, and less invasive procedures. Her symptoms include pain and bloating after eating 3-4 bites of food. This is followed by more cramping and requires several trips to the restroom. Countless times she has come home early or completely missed church and school activities because of the pain. So many times I've sat next to her while she laid on the floor, curled into a ball, crying from the cramps and stabbing pains. These are the days that Jessica becomes frustrated and introverted.

TEST RESULTS

Several years ago, Jessica's "ELISA" blood allergy test came back with 12 food allergies with a very high allergy to grasses. Last year her allergist, Dr. Doug Jones, performed a scratch test. The results should an extremely high allergy to grasses so now we carry an epi-pen for emergencies. Over the years, the doctors have tried different combinations of elimination diets with no success. Recently, she had an abdominal ultrasound. It showed that her gall bladder is healthy and there were no obvious signs of problems with her liver or kidneys. 

Jessica has recently had several more invasive medical procedures including an upper EGD with biopsy and a colonscopy with biopsy and more have been scheduled. The doctors are still performing tests and experimenting with medications.

HELP

 Jessica's father became permanently disabled with ankylosing spondylitis, a rare type of rheumatoid arthritis, in 2004. I was laid off from work in April 2014, and have struggled to find another job. Our family has become overwhelmed with medical costs. Please help us get this project funded so that we can finally diagnose Jessica and get her back on the road for success. Every dollar helps so please donate today. Thank you for your time and consideration, The Edwards Family

Special thanks to Dr. Patricia Chen, Dr. John Lowe, Dr. Neil McBride, Dr. Doug Jones & Dr. Molly O'Gorman