(This blog post is grossly inadequate in describing what I have been feeling today. I WISH I had a tiny portion of Jessi’s writing skills. Oh well, here goes…)
The most harrowing, horrible day of my life happened exactly one year ago today. It was the beginning of the worst ten days of my life, also. If you are new to my blog, you can go here for a better explanation. But one year ago my little sister Jessi had a pulmonary embolism and an infection throughout her body after giving birth to her 4th baby. She was in the ICU in serious condition and the doctors didn’t know what the infection was or how to fight it. I took Jessi’s brand new baby home with me and cried and prayed for days and days that this sweet baby boy would be able to have his mommy HERE, in this life.
After much deliberation, the doctors in the ICU allowed Jess to hold and feed Spencer for a few minutes. She was so weak and could barely breathe but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be near her baby. It was one of the sweetest, most heart-breaking scenes ever.
So after a very torturous ten days of not knowing whether Jess was going to make it, almost running out of antibiotics to use against the infection, a miracle occurred and Jess was released from the hospital.
I still cannot express in words how infinitely thankful I am to my Heavenly Father for allowing Jess to live. She is always the life of any gathering, always telling jokes and making witty comments or doing some kind of crazy dance or movement. Even with four little boys, Jess can party all night long. If there is any fun happening or TO BE HAD, Jess is all about it. She is hilarious and so smart with definite opinions and passions, yet she is sweet and gentle and concerned about others’ feelings. We kept teasing her at Lake Powell when she was behind the boat, ready to wakeboard. Instead of yelling “Hit It!” or some DEMAND for the boat to go, she would say, “Uh, if you get a minute and it’s not too much trouble, perhaps, maybe you could start the boat up for me. BUT ONLY if it’s a good time for you.” That’s Jess. I don’t know what our family would be like today, one year later, if things had been different. I’ve thought about it often but not for too long. I quickly interrupt my thoughts with a prayer of thanks, as tears well up, that things turned out the way they did.
Here are just a few pictures from the past year.
I love you, Jess. You are stronger than I can even comprehend.
by Holly Hokanson, on April 15 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Wow. She sounds amazing. Thanks for that story about her.
by Katie, on April 15 2009 @ 3:54 pm
She has quite the amazing story. What a blessing that she’s recovered. She’s lucky to have such a sweet sister and family . Love you guys!
by Heather Morris Hokanson, on April 15 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Great post, and AMEN! That was scary times. I am SO GRATEFUL that there was a happy ending. I love you Jess! And Jenn, you were AMAZING taking care of Spence and the boys and Gary and the family. You were a rock to them, I know.
by Shirley Hill, on April 15 2009 @ 10:39 pm
Wow! I had heard a little about this but I had no idea it was so serious. Jess, I am so glad you are still here. You are an awesome woman with so much to share with all of us. Jenn, thanks for being such a great sister. You Stewarts are such awesome people. I am grateful to have known you in my life.