Please help our friend/ fellow ACO
Donation protected
Jessica Suto is a friend and fellow Animal Control Officer and a Vetran. Jessica has been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. It's an inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and joints. It wasn't until three years of pain and suffering that she recently found out what has been causing all her health issues. Right after Super Storm Sandy, Jess twisted her knee and had to go in for surgery, since then she has been sent from one Dr. to another, surgeries, tests, pain unbearable to even sleep and has not been able to work. Jessica also has not been able to receive any permanent disability, social security and is now having to fight social security. Her parents, brother and family have depleted their savings, to help pay for medical bills. Please let's help,!!! Below is her story with what has been happening...Please read
The day after Sandy, I was outside picking up a piece of gutter and I misstep off the curb and twisted my knee.. A few days later, went to the doctor and had x rays and he referred me to a ortho. After initial MRI was done, showed a meniscus tear and some scar tissue. Scheduled surgery for 4/19/13, surgery was routine, went well, worse than what the MRI showed, however done. Healed nice, and started PT. On July 4th, at a friends house and in the pool, was playing catch and went to get the ball my legs collapsed under me and went underwater. Scared me and friends, brushed it off but this was the first time I started to experience the pain, and it never goes away. It calms down, however I always feel it. Saw the doctor the next day and said to take 2 weeks off and rest, that I was pushing to much and even though was feeling ok, until this point, I was trying to get myself going and doing more. The pins and needles was intensifying, so the ortho sent me to pain management and another ortho for another opinion. In August, the pain management doctor suggested the first epidural since at this point cortisone in the joint wasn't helping. Had it done and had about 3 days of relief, but the pins and needles came back and even felt more worse. At this point it was also noted that I was walking much different and had more favoring of the left side, which is the side of the surgery. Went for some blood work and several tests were done since I was animal control, they ordered a test that was sent from a lab in Colorado, for a different strain of Lyme disease. This is the test that first showed the protein of HLA-B27. When this came in, it was told to me that it could be a form of arthritis, and that more tests need to be done. At this point I had already undergone 8 more blocks and a nerve destruction procedure. The third test showed it was very high and at this time sent to a rheumatologist . There were 2 forms that were seen the AS and a high RA factor. This is when I went for the first MRI of the SI joint. It showed that my left side was 5 times the size of the right. We began treatment from January 2014 to May, numerous different medications and changes were made, and each time, the arthritis was getting worse. It was February when I was prescribed the walker and could also use a cane. It was in February that, for my health, safety and concern for this not controlled arthritis that I start a birth control and was told that it is to dangerous to have a child. I would be risking both lives. That hits you like a ton of bricks. *** During this period, of trying to grasp the fact that I have a disease, I was being harassed by the town. They were forcing me to have my doctors release me to come back to work. None of the doctors would. (THE OTHER PART OF FINANCE) with the town forcing me to do this I was told if I didn't come back I was going to be fired. I have an attorney, in which settled to let me retire on disability, as my condition will not get any better and they have no control over the disease. It was determined that as of July 1, 2014, I was retired. I had to apply to pensions and go through their doctor to determine if I was eligible, this took from June until December for the determination, which was approved. I was also MIS informed by the town that the health benefits would be included... they aren't... as the town doesn't participate in that with pension and Cobra cost $1472.38 a month to continue. I was also MIS informed about social security, the town advised me that the temporary disability would continue until social security is approved. Found out this was the most costly MISINFORMATION yet... I had to apply and was denied on Nov 30, my attorney has appealed 2 times and social security, has sent me to a shrink who also had no idea why since it was appealed. This is now under review until my attorney calls tomorrow...(4/6/15) This has been nothing but stress and anxiety... With everything that has been going on and since my temporary disability stopped in July, I have had no income. I have been fortunate to have my parents pay for my cobra insurance and heating and electricity bills. My aunt and uncle took control of my car, insurance and a loan payments, and also providing me cash to get groceries. My brother, had a incident on Oct 30, when his colon ruptured, and was in the hospital for 2 weeks and out of work for 2 months.. This also has been a financial burden as insurance has paid for most of the things, however, the bills for what's not covered has started poring in... ***
There are days that since this is started that I can not get up to do the simplest of tasks even going to the bathroom at times is a difficult issue. The fatigue takes over and stress makes it worse. In June of 2014, the rheumatologist decided to put me on Humira, as this is going to be one of the best biologics and somehow they need to get better control of the arthritis, however the difficult part with starting a biologic is it takes time to work, and it depends on the regiment. I would need to be on the Humira for 6 months to really determine whether or not it is working and whether or not the dose needs to be changed. From June until December, I was learning my limitations, which is difficult for me to still comprehend, as I do push beyond what I can do, and the pain takes over and I won't be able to do anything for at least a day, until I can feel my strength come back. The other issue that they need to get controlled is the pins and needles aspect. It feels like the entire lower half of my body is "asleep" and when I put weight or pressure on it, it intensifies. This has been the most difficult aspect of everything. I have had a total of 20 procedures with nerve blocks and destruction with no avail... I have fallen several times in just standing up from watching tv or the computer. There are days it is calm and others where it can take up to an hour for me to be able to get up and the morning is the worst. On December 8, 2014, the blood work was done, and finally shows that the RA factor is still high the AS was with in the range to be. Happy with the results the doctors wanted to wait until after the holidays to set a regiment for pt and massage to get me going and finally being able to work on stabilizing the disease. This is where we go down hill... and very quick.. On New Years, we took down our tree and was taking down the outside lights, I had got a splinter and took it out and cleaned it up.. 1/16/15 2 days later the redness around my cuticle I knew I had an infection...I went to the er, and given a tetanus shot and antibiotics.. 6 days later it was getting worse, doc changed antibiotic and within 24 hours the pain became so intense that I went back to the er and was taken into emergency surgery, the infection was spreading up my arm.. This was treated as a very strange infection as there wasn't what a normal bacterial infection is. The fact that I take Humira, made this high risk.. As the doctor sent out biopsies the first set didn't show anything, so it was to continue antibiotics.. The infection started to get worse on March 1..on March 13, had to have another emergency surgery on the infection.. Initial biopsies are showing a strange fungal infection, and now on 2 antibiotics in hopes that this is finally under control. During all this, the Humira had to be stopped as when an infection is present, and a biologic is injected, it can be fatal. With the harsh winter, the pain has been very intense and there is nothing more that the doctors can do at this point for the comfort aspect. This also has made me have to be on "house arrest" as I can't be exposed to anything... I can't risk getting a cold or anything.. The doctors are saying that since we know what we are dealing with they are confident that within the next month or2 I will be able to start the Humira again... I will be monitored and watched for several months until we know it is starting to work and I can start learning what normal will be....
The day after Sandy, I was outside picking up a piece of gutter and I misstep off the curb and twisted my knee.. A few days later, went to the doctor and had x rays and he referred me to a ortho. After initial MRI was done, showed a meniscus tear and some scar tissue. Scheduled surgery for 4/19/13, surgery was routine, went well, worse than what the MRI showed, however done. Healed nice, and started PT. On July 4th, at a friends house and in the pool, was playing catch and went to get the ball my legs collapsed under me and went underwater. Scared me and friends, brushed it off but this was the first time I started to experience the pain, and it never goes away. It calms down, however I always feel it. Saw the doctor the next day and said to take 2 weeks off and rest, that I was pushing to much and even though was feeling ok, until this point, I was trying to get myself going and doing more. The pins and needles was intensifying, so the ortho sent me to pain management and another ortho for another opinion. In August, the pain management doctor suggested the first epidural since at this point cortisone in the joint wasn't helping. Had it done and had about 3 days of relief, but the pins and needles came back and even felt more worse. At this point it was also noted that I was walking much different and had more favoring of the left side, which is the side of the surgery. Went for some blood work and several tests were done since I was animal control, they ordered a test that was sent from a lab in Colorado, for a different strain of Lyme disease. This is the test that first showed the protein of HLA-B27. When this came in, it was told to me that it could be a form of arthritis, and that more tests need to be done. At this point I had already undergone 8 more blocks and a nerve destruction procedure. The third test showed it was very high and at this time sent to a rheumatologist . There were 2 forms that were seen the AS and a high RA factor. This is when I went for the first MRI of the SI joint. It showed that my left side was 5 times the size of the right. We began treatment from January 2014 to May, numerous different medications and changes were made, and each time, the arthritis was getting worse. It was February when I was prescribed the walker and could also use a cane. It was in February that, for my health, safety and concern for this not controlled arthritis that I start a birth control and was told that it is to dangerous to have a child. I would be risking both lives. That hits you like a ton of bricks. *** During this period, of trying to grasp the fact that I have a disease, I was being harassed by the town. They were forcing me to have my doctors release me to come back to work. None of the doctors would. (THE OTHER PART OF FINANCE) with the town forcing me to do this I was told if I didn't come back I was going to be fired. I have an attorney, in which settled to let me retire on disability, as my condition will not get any better and they have no control over the disease. It was determined that as of July 1, 2014, I was retired. I had to apply to pensions and go through their doctor to determine if I was eligible, this took from June until December for the determination, which was approved. I was also MIS informed by the town that the health benefits would be included... they aren't... as the town doesn't participate in that with pension and Cobra cost $1472.38 a month to continue. I was also MIS informed about social security, the town advised me that the temporary disability would continue until social security is approved. Found out this was the most costly MISINFORMATION yet... I had to apply and was denied on Nov 30, my attorney has appealed 2 times and social security, has sent me to a shrink who also had no idea why since it was appealed. This is now under review until my attorney calls tomorrow...(4/6/15) This has been nothing but stress and anxiety... With everything that has been going on and since my temporary disability stopped in July, I have had no income. I have been fortunate to have my parents pay for my cobra insurance and heating and electricity bills. My aunt and uncle took control of my car, insurance and a loan payments, and also providing me cash to get groceries. My brother, had a incident on Oct 30, when his colon ruptured, and was in the hospital for 2 weeks and out of work for 2 months.. This also has been a financial burden as insurance has paid for most of the things, however, the bills for what's not covered has started poring in... ***
There are days that since this is started that I can not get up to do the simplest of tasks even going to the bathroom at times is a difficult issue. The fatigue takes over and stress makes it worse. In June of 2014, the rheumatologist decided to put me on Humira, as this is going to be one of the best biologics and somehow they need to get better control of the arthritis, however the difficult part with starting a biologic is it takes time to work, and it depends on the regiment. I would need to be on the Humira for 6 months to really determine whether or not it is working and whether or not the dose needs to be changed. From June until December, I was learning my limitations, which is difficult for me to still comprehend, as I do push beyond what I can do, and the pain takes over and I won't be able to do anything for at least a day, until I can feel my strength come back. The other issue that they need to get controlled is the pins and needles aspect. It feels like the entire lower half of my body is "asleep" and when I put weight or pressure on it, it intensifies. This has been the most difficult aspect of everything. I have had a total of 20 procedures with nerve blocks and destruction with no avail... I have fallen several times in just standing up from watching tv or the computer. There are days it is calm and others where it can take up to an hour for me to be able to get up and the morning is the worst. On December 8, 2014, the blood work was done, and finally shows that the RA factor is still high the AS was with in the range to be. Happy with the results the doctors wanted to wait until after the holidays to set a regiment for pt and massage to get me going and finally being able to work on stabilizing the disease. This is where we go down hill... and very quick.. On New Years, we took down our tree and was taking down the outside lights, I had got a splinter and took it out and cleaned it up.. 1/16/15 2 days later the redness around my cuticle I knew I had an infection...I went to the er, and given a tetanus shot and antibiotics.. 6 days later it was getting worse, doc changed antibiotic and within 24 hours the pain became so intense that I went back to the er and was taken into emergency surgery, the infection was spreading up my arm.. This was treated as a very strange infection as there wasn't what a normal bacterial infection is. The fact that I take Humira, made this high risk.. As the doctor sent out biopsies the first set didn't show anything, so it was to continue antibiotics.. The infection started to get worse on March 1..on March 13, had to have another emergency surgery on the infection.. Initial biopsies are showing a strange fungal infection, and now on 2 antibiotics in hopes that this is finally under control. During all this, the Humira had to be stopped as when an infection is present, and a biologic is injected, it can be fatal. With the harsh winter, the pain has been very intense and there is nothing more that the doctors can do at this point for the comfort aspect. This also has made me have to be on "house arrest" as I can't be exposed to anything... I can't risk getting a cold or anything.. The doctors are saying that since we know what we are dealing with they are confident that within the next month or2 I will be able to start the Humira again... I will be monitored and watched for several months until we know it is starting to work and I can start learning what normal will be....
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan A. Blanchard
Organizer
Succasunna, NJ
Jessica Suto
Beneficiary
