Support the Spitzer Family in Stroke Recovery
Donation protected
- Update from 6/6/2021 included in the Updates section -
Hopefully you’re here reading this because you love and care about Keith, Jenna, and Eleanor. Maybe you’ve gone to school with them, are a neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member.
They might have left an impression on you; Eleanor’s funny, caring and free spirit, Keith’s dad jokes and willingness to show up for people whenever asked (including lots of tech advice). And our dear, Jenna. Smart and witty, with a fierce love for those in her life. You only need a brief conversation with her to know she is deeply invested in you and what you have to say (even though she sometimes takes forever to respond to texts.) This was true if you were close with her 25 years ago or are today. She’s an amazing person. An amazing person who had a hemorrhagic stroke on March 2nd, 2021.
On the morning of March 2nd, Jenna experienced classic stroke symptoms and was immediately rushed to Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale. It was quickly found a higher level of care was needed so she was transferred to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at USC Keck Hospital. There were several days, many tests, and procedures done there before she was stabilized enough to be transferred to the regular neurological unit. She then went from the traditional neurological unit at USC/Keck to spend time in the Acute Physical Rehabilitation Unit getting rigorous occupational, physical, and speech therapy before being released.
Although we are thrilled that Jenna is well enough to be home, the hard work she started in the hospital continues. Jenna can’t drive or care for Eleanor alone, walk unassisted or complete most tasks of regular life. In the short time Jenna has been out of the hospital she’s had countless medical appointments with specialists, some return trips to the hospital, dozens of tests performed, and procedures done.
Doctors have said they are taking such strong, swift actions because the stroke on March 2nd, 2021 wasn’t her first. Back in February 2019, Jenna had four blocked arteries in her brain (these were ischemic vs. hemorrhagic) that were of unclear etiology/origin. After some medical investigation, it was considered fluke event and life moved on…until now.
Jenna has so many appointments with specialists, sub-specialists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, etc. because no one knows what is causing her to have multiple different types of strokes and if/when more strokes will occur. While Jenna is working extremely hard to overcome deficits from this last stroke, she’s also working to be a good mom/wife/family member/friend while constantly wondering daily if another stroke might occur. And if this next stroke might be fatal.
As you can imagine, Jenna and her family are managing a huge emotional load facing an uncertain diagnosis and prognosis. The logistical and resource drain are also a great deal of what makes this situation challenging. In addition, many of the next steps in testing/diagnosing/specialist visits are only partially or not at all covered by insurance.
Things have been pretty difficult for Jenna since the stroke even with the help of a small group of dedicated supporters. We’re wondering if increasing Jenna’s circle of support, if you joining to support her in any way that makes sense for you, could help ease her journey as she recovers and seeks a diagnosis of the disease causing these strokes.
Jenna told very few people about the strokes in 2019 and hasn’t mentioned this latest, more serious stoke to almost anyone. She said she feels like a burden. It’s also been especially hard for Jenna to accept any of this health emergency is happening and sharing with people makes it feel too real. It's a lot to process. She doesn’t want to focus on herself or take any resources from others; even when it could literally kill her not to. Even still, Jenna has said that people are what she misses most.
Hopefully you’re here reading this because you love and care about Keith, Jenna, and Eleanor. Maybe you’ve gone to school with them, are a neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member.
They might have left an impression on you; Eleanor’s funny, caring and free spirit, Keith’s dad jokes and willingness to show up for people whenever asked (including lots of tech advice). And our dear, Jenna. Smart and witty, with a fierce love for those in her life. You only need a brief conversation with her to know she is deeply invested in you and what you have to say (even though she sometimes takes forever to respond to texts.) This was true if you were close with her 25 years ago or are today. She’s an amazing person. An amazing person who had a hemorrhagic stroke on March 2nd, 2021.
On the morning of March 2nd, Jenna experienced classic stroke symptoms and was immediately rushed to Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale. It was quickly found a higher level of care was needed so she was transferred to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at USC Keck Hospital. There were several days, many tests, and procedures done there before she was stabilized enough to be transferred to the regular neurological unit. She then went from the traditional neurological unit at USC/Keck to spend time in the Acute Physical Rehabilitation Unit getting rigorous occupational, physical, and speech therapy before being released.
Although we are thrilled that Jenna is well enough to be home, the hard work she started in the hospital continues. Jenna can’t drive or care for Eleanor alone, walk unassisted or complete most tasks of regular life. In the short time Jenna has been out of the hospital she’s had countless medical appointments with specialists, some return trips to the hospital, dozens of tests performed, and procedures done.
Doctors have said they are taking such strong, swift actions because the stroke on March 2nd, 2021 wasn’t her first. Back in February 2019, Jenna had four blocked arteries in her brain (these were ischemic vs. hemorrhagic) that were of unclear etiology/origin. After some medical investigation, it was considered fluke event and life moved on…until now.
Jenna has so many appointments with specialists, sub-specialists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, etc. because no one knows what is causing her to have multiple different types of strokes and if/when more strokes will occur. While Jenna is working extremely hard to overcome deficits from this last stroke, she’s also working to be a good mom/wife/family member/friend while constantly wondering daily if another stroke might occur. And if this next stroke might be fatal.
As you can imagine, Jenna and her family are managing a huge emotional load facing an uncertain diagnosis and prognosis. The logistical and resource drain are also a great deal of what makes this situation challenging. In addition, many of the next steps in testing/diagnosing/specialist visits are only partially or not at all covered by insurance.
Things have been pretty difficult for Jenna since the stroke even with the help of a small group of dedicated supporters. We’re wondering if increasing Jenna’s circle of support, if you joining to support her in any way that makes sense for you, could help ease her journey as she recovers and seeks a diagnosis of the disease causing these strokes.
Jenna told very few people about the strokes in 2019 and hasn’t mentioned this latest, more serious stoke to almost anyone. She said she feels like a burden. It’s also been especially hard for Jenna to accept any of this health emergency is happening and sharing with people makes it feel too real. It's a lot to process. She doesn’t want to focus on herself or take any resources from others; even when it could literally kill her not to. Even still, Jenna has said that people are what she misses most.
Even when resting, fatigue caused by the stroke sets in quickly for her so after all her medical appointments, there is basically nothing left over to allow her to be as present as she’d like for her family and friends. Or to reach out to friends other loved ones at all.
Would you be willing to reach out to Jenna to show your support although she may not be capable of reciprocating right not away? This is, of course, is a fundraising page and financial support to help with the expenses associated with a currently undiagnosed life-threatening illness are much needed and appreciated. These financial resources would go to help with medical bills, adaptive equipment, additional care for Eleanor, physical, occupational, and speech therapies and the many other costs of care that have come up as Jenna recovers.
Would you be willing to reach out to Jenna to show your support although she may not be capable of reciprocating right not away? This is, of course, is a fundraising page and financial support to help with the expenses associated with a currently undiagnosed life-threatening illness are much needed and appreciated. These financial resources would go to help with medical bills, adaptive equipment, additional care for Eleanor, physical, occupational, and speech therapies and the many other costs of care that have come up as Jenna recovers.
If contributing financially isn't an option at this time, there are many other ways you can help- anything from a note of encouragement or a thoughtful gift delivered or sent in the mail to providing a meal (meal train link at the end of this message) or anything else you think would help support the Spitzer family would make a real difference.
Jenna is navigating a new path filled with many dead-ends, complicated mazes, emotional sinkholes, and distracting detours. How wonderful would it be if she knew you were there too- near or far, for a short period or long time…just there at all.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read the above. There is so much going on that it’s very hard to synthesize everything down without leaving out important information. There are many more tests and procedures and specialist appointments coming up. And hopefully some results and answers will start to come in soon as well. If you’d like to be kept updated on how everything is going, you can subscribe via email to new things posted here.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read the above. There is so much going on that it’s very hard to synthesize everything down without leaving out important information. There are many more tests and procedures and specialist appointments coming up. And hopefully some results and answers will start to come in soon as well. If you’d like to be kept updated on how everything is going, you can subscribe via email to new things posted here.
Thank you from the very bottoms of our hearts for anything you can give to support our beloved Jenna. Thank you all so very much!
Meal Train Link: https://mealtrain.com/9wqv76
Mailing Address: 2231 N. Niagara St.
Burbank, CA 91504
Jenna's E-Mail: [email redacted]
Meal Train Link: https://mealtrain.com/9wqv76
Mailing Address: 2231 N. Niagara St.
Burbank, CA 91504
Jenna's E-Mail: [email redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Anna Jensson
Organizer
Colorado, CO
Jenna Spitzer
Beneficiary