Jenn’s Road to Recovery

October 4, 2018 - what was meant to be one of the most fun days of my life, ended as the scariest and most traumatic day of my life instead.

My boyfriend, Isaac and I went to the Beyonce + Jay-Z On the Run II concert at Century Link Stadium in Seattle. We were dressed to the nines, went out to dinner and stuffed our faces, and hoped to have one of the best nights of our lives. Unfortunately, that way too quickly changed. The concert started and we were hyped.. dancing, singing, having all the fun. About 20 mins in, we went up to the concession area and that’s all that I can remember.

Next thing I knew, I woke up in an ambulance. I didn’t know why, I didn’t know how.. When I asked Isaac what happened, he told me I had tripped and fallen.. on my face, and I went unconscious. I was shocked and I was scared.. because I didn’t, and still don’t, remember falling. Isaac himself went into shock before calling 9-11 because he honestly thought I had died.

About an hour later, I woke up, again. But this time, I was in the emergency room at Harborview Medical Center and surrounded by several doctors. I was covered in blood.. it was all over my face, in my hair, and I could hardly recognize myself.

After several X-rays and CT Scans of my chest, head, right shoulder, arm, and jaw.. and me going in and out of consciousness, I found out I had fractured my jaw and broke the bone and sockets in 2 of my teeth. I dislocated my shoulder, busted my eyebrow and bottom lip, and was in the most excruciating pain I had ever experienced. To lighten the moment, Isaac said I was so doped up on the pain med IV that I was somehow laughing and telling jokes. Though in pain, I guess I still had my spirit. :)

My ER visit that night ended with 4 doctors including the Chief of Staff, working for 4 hours in surgery. I underwent dental and jaw reconstruction, had braces and several wires put on my teeth, along with 13 stitches in my eyebrow and 9 in my lip. It was then that the lead physician told me something I’ll never forget, and something that still brings chills to my body.. “had you fallen on your head or your skull, instead of your face, you wouldn’t be here. The impact was too hard.” I instantly broke into tears, and immediately said a prayer of thanks to God, for my second shot at life. There are no words for that feeling, nor the realization that God has a bigger plan.

The ER doc put me out of work for 3 1/2 weeks and on a strictly liquid diet (because I couldn’t swallow or use my teeth) for 14 straight days. I was completely bed rest for the duration, and thanks to my angel saint of a mom who flew out from LA to be my side, as my nurse, ice pack at 2am, shoulder to cry on and support system — I was able to make it through as best as I could. She wouldn’t even let me go down 1 flight of stairs to check the mail, without being right by my side.. and on her birthday! Mom.. Mommy, I forever love and appreciate you. ❤️



I then went back to work for a week, feeling great dental wise, but in excruciating pain in my shoulder. To speed up the story, here I am 7 weeks later, and still out on medical leave. I’ve gone to urgent care, had more x-rays and MRIs, seen an oralmaxillary facial surgeon for my jaw and teeth, and an orthopedic surgeon for my arm and shoulder, several times. My once saved teeth aren’t healing properly and I’ll likely lose them, as well as I have nerve damage in my right shoulder, arm, and hand. I lose feeling in these several times throughout the day, can’t sleep at night, and instead, wake up crying and screaming in pain in the middle of the night. I am still under doctor’s care, and have the nerve condition undiagnosed at the moment.

Next Tuesday, on Nov. 27th, I’ll go back to the oral maxillaryfacial surgeon, to find out the next steps for my teeth with the likelihood of needing surgery, to extract the 2 teeth and replace them with permanent implants. The whole process could take 6-9 months, and one implant alone, costs about 6 grand. Ugh!

Needless to say - I have never been so traumatized. Never been in so much pain. Never had so many doctors appointments.. and the road to recovery is still a long one ahead. As you can imagine, although I have medical insurance, it does and will not cover all of the costs, and co-pays, surgeries, dental complications.. they’re all so expensive, especially when they add up. As well as, while being out on medical leave is a blessing, I am not receiving 100% of my salary. For those of you that know me, you know I absolutely HATE asking for help or money, because I like to think I’m Superwoman and can figure it all out on my own. This time however, I have to admit I am not and cannot.. the bills keep coming in and the pain isn’t getting any better. For these reasons, I am asking for your help.

Whether it be through your prayers and positive thoughts, the sharing of my story, or any emotional and financial assistance you can give, I appreciate each and every one of you! Especially those family and friends who have supported me and helped get me this far, emotionally and physically. You have no idea how much strength you have given me!

I thank you for your time and support, from the bottom of my heart and will continue to keep you updated on my journey to recovery. I just want to be able to smile again without feeling self conscious, raise my arm above my head to shower and wash my hair.. get through this horrible nightmare, pain and PTSD free.. and you know, little things like that. I want to feel like my happy self again!



PS for those of you who are curious or who think you can stomach my injuries (I understand that not everyone can).. scroll down to see a few photos of me in the hospital.


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xx, Jenn