Support Jen's Journey to Walk Again

We are reaching out because Jen needs our help. She is currently in a sub-acute rehab facility following emergency spinal surgery in July and is currently unable to walk and has minimal sensation in her lower body.

On July 4th Jen went to the emergency room at NYU Langone for numbness from her abdomen down to her legs. They immediately put her in a bed and scheduled a CT scan for her abdomen. Prior to the CT scan Jen was able to walk but when she laid herself down for the procedure, she felt her body go limp from the chest down, and no longer was able to walk. She says it felt like she had fire and electricity burning her from her neck to her toes and there was no longer any sensation in her legs. 

 

An MRI performed that evening revealed that a component from the C6 prosthetic disc (from a previous surgery) had embedded itself into her spinal cord, causing a compression of her spinal cord.

 

Within an hour of her MRI’s completion, she was in the operating room for an emergency spinal cord decompression surgery to remove the prosthetic disc at C6, and then in the surgeon’s own words “chisel out” the component embedded in her spine and fuse C5-T1 of her vertebrae, which in total is a 4-disc spinal fusion.

 

Although the surgery was successful, the spinal cord compression resulted in Jen being unable to control her body from her chest down and after the surgery, she could not feel anything below her collarbone, and had limited use of her hands and arms. 

As of today, one month + later, she is in a subacute rehab facility, working with physical and occupational therapists daily and she requires 24-hour care. Jen is still unable to walk or use the bathroom on her own though she can now feel tingles in her legs and some sensation on her chest and abdomen.

The road to recovery is long and relentless.

With 2 young daughters at home, we are still working on figuring out solutions for childcare, a vehicle to support her future needs and a potential home health aide for the caregiving services she may need during recovery. There is a chance the whole family will need to relocate to accommodate Jen’s needs with this new way of life for her, and her family. 

 

For decades, Jen has been a vibrant part of the communities for local cyclists, Breakthrough T1D (JDRF) and as a 2x IRONMAN, she has inspired so many with her perseverance and dedication to physical endurance, whilst dominating her Type 1 diabetes. 

Jen has fought every obstacle thrown at her in life with a determination to conquer, succeed and thrive. Jen has that rare resolve and fortitude - sheer will – which have been her superpower through so many chapters of life, and certainly through the triathlons where she swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles and ran 26.2 within 17 hours. Jen’s natural inclination and genuine interest in coaching others to pursue their own ambitions toward health and fitness has birthed the community of love, support and motivation that only a superhero like Jen can create all around her.

 

Now, it's our turn to support her. 

 

Your contribution will make a significant difference in her family’s recovery journey. Please consider offering a donation to help ease the financial burdens which have so suddenly impacted the Holdens.

 

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in Jen’s journey to regain her health and independence. If you are unable to contribute financially, your prayers, positive thoughts, and sharing of this campaign with your network would mean the world to us. 

 

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this challenging time. If you want to use Venmo with no fees please reach out to Lindsay at [phone redacted].

 

With love,

The Holden Family