Jessica

Nazarene Hospital helps a huge number of patients every year. Some are seen in the outpatient department and are sent home with medications. Some are admitted and go home after just a few days. Then there are those like Jessica, age 5 years, who has been in our hospital now for nearly 2 months. When Jessica came to us she was comatose. After some lab work and a spinal tap it seemed the most likely diagnosis is TB meningitis. Her parents are desparately hoping, along with us, that this truly is TB since with proper treatment complete recovery is possible. We did see some improvement in the first few weeks but progress has slowed. Jessica is not able to sit up on her own, is not talking even though she does make good eye contact and follows simple commands at times. She is often times agitated and moves her arms and legs about without purpose, all but her right arm, where she has paralysis. She eats a little by mouth but gets most of her nutrition through a tube that goes from her nose, down her throat and into her stomach.

Please pray for Jessica and her family. Her Dad obviously loves her dearly and takes very good care of her. Pictured is Jessica, her mom, her Dad (on the left) and an uncle.

Thank you all for taking an interest in Jessica's young life!