My name is Amanda Jones, and I am creating this page on behalf of a family that has been navigating extraordinary challenges with incredible strength, resilience, and love. I first met Jessie when she was my student in middle school. Today, she is nearly 27 years old. From the very beginning of her life, Jessie has faced more medical challenges than most people experience in a lifetime. She was never expected to live beyond the age of two, yet through determination, excellent medical care, and the unwavering love of her family, she has continued to defy the odds. Her journey has included countless hospitalizations, ongoing dialysis, and a lifetime of complex medical care. Just yesterday, Jessie returned home after spending 45 days in the hospital battling a serious infection. About two months ago, Jessie's sister, Christina, opened her home to care for both Jessie and Kathy. Nearly a year ago, Kathy was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She has faced multiple surgeries and endured chemotherapy with remarkable courage. Around Mother's Day this year, both Kathy and Jessie became ill with rhinovirus. Kathy's illness prevented her from continuing chemotherapy, and during that time, the cancer progressed. It has now spread, including a large mass affecting her lung and placing pressure on her trachea. Today, both Kathy and Jessie require around-the-clock care. Through it all, Christina has become the heart of their support system. While continuing to work part-time, she coordinates dialysis appointments, hospital stays, specialist visits, medications, daily care, and every need in between. She does so with extraordinary love and unwavering dedication. The practical realities, however, are becoming overwhelming. Christina, her boyfriend, Jessie, and Kathy are currently living in a two-story home. Because there is no accessible way for Jessie to safely navigate the stairs as she uses a wheelchair, Christina is physically carrying her up and down each day. A stair lift would provide a much-needed safety solution, protecting both Jessie and Christina from injury while allowing Jessie greater independence and dignity. Additional accessibility modifications will also become necessary as their needs continue to evolve. As you can imagine, the financial and emotional demands of caring for two medically fragile loved ones are significant. Between frequent trips to dialysis, hospital visits, medical appointments, treatments, and daily caregiving, every act of support makes a meaningful difference. If you are able, there are several ways you can help: ❤️Heart-healthy, cardiac-friendly meals for the family ❤️Gas cards to help offset the many miles driven to appointments and treatments ❤️Financial gifts to assist with medical expenses and necessary home accessibility modifications ❤️Gift cards for groceries or household essentials ❤️Most importantly, your prayers, encouragement, and kindness❤️ No family should have to walk a journey like this alone. If you are unable to give financially, sharing this page and keeping this family in your thoughts and prayers is a tremendous gift as well. Thank you for helping surround this family with compassion, hope, and practical support during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Check out this amazing story of Kathy and Jessie from Fox 6 from January 2025 -https://www.fox6now.com/news/elkhorn-woman-survives-medical-challenges-needs-help-another-kind
Thank you for helping care for this family through a meal. They live in Elkhorn. Please keep the following preferences in mind: Heart-healthy/cardiac-friendly meals are requested. Kathy cannot eat noodles or pasta, and her ability to eat continues to unfortunately decrease. Christina does not have any dietary restrictions and can enjoy anything, but still needs to keep healthy and strong through a good diet! If possible, include simple reheating instructions and label the meal. Disposable containers are appreciated to help minimize dishes and cleanup. Your kindness and generosity allow Christina to spend more time caring for Kathy and Jessie and less time worrying about preparing meals. Thank you for being part of their circle of support.