The Jen Frese Medical Fund

Have you ever felt helpless watching a friend walk through a difficult circumstance? Have you sat on the sidelines observing with that knot of nausea in your stomach, wishing you could change the situation? Have you lost sleep wondering what that friend must be feeling, and asking where you can help? Well, this is where I’ve been…until this week God showed me where I can help!

 

My name is Tammy, and I live in Marion, Kansas. This is where I met my friend, neighbor and co-worker, Jennifer Frese, nine years ago when she welcomed me with open arms to this small community. Jennifer has been married to her sweetie Brian since 1999, and they have three beautiful children, Kaitlyn, Meggan, and Jonathan. Jennifer works at St. Luke Medical Clinic, where she serves others with a warm heart and a bright smile day in and day out. Jennifer loves Jesus, and her family and mine worship together at Marion Christian Church.

 

Jennifer’s frightening story began in April 2021. It was then that she started experiencing random anaphylactic reactions for unknown reasons. Doctors initially thought these episodes were food-related, so she began avoiding the foods that seemed to trigger the reactions. As the months went on, though, Jennifer started to have anaphylactic reactions to different foods. While this seemed very serious, these episodes could be controlled with antihistamines and other medications, so they didn’t appear life-threatening. However, by late fall 2021, the reactions had progressed, so Jennifer’s allergist recommended that she visit the National Jewish Health in Denver for further evaluation because he was at a loss on what to do. She was scheduled to go in February 2022 but had canceled this appointment before this due to the financial burden it would put on her family.

 

However, in January 2022, things took a turn for the worse. Jennifer contracted Covid. Approximately 4 weeks post-Covid, the anaphylactic episodes became more and more frequent. By April 2022, she was having reactions 3 to 4 times per week. Regardless of what Jennifer ate, the reactions became more severe and required an EpiPen. Finally, the episodes became so severe that her husband Brian had to start administering the EpiPen because she was becoming less and less coherent to give them to herself. By this time, Jennifer could only drink protein shakes and eat soup. She was advised that her only option was to go to National Jewish Health. So, despite the financial burden, she and Brian chose to make the trip to Denver.

 

During the week of May 13-20, 2022, Jennifer was seen by gastrology, allergy/immunology, pulmonology, and cardiology specialists in Denver. Numerous tests were run in an attempt to solve the mystery and discover a remedy to the anaphylactic reactions she is having. Unfortunately, Jennifer still has not received answers.

 

Since coming home from Denver, her reactions have worsened to the point that she has stopped breathing on occasion. Medication changes have been made, and more tests have been conducted. At this time, they are waiting for these test results. Jennifer has been told that it is a possibility that she has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. MCAS is a condition where she is allergic to everything and nothing all at once. This is a rare new diagnosis, and not many doctors are familiar with this, which makes the journey even more frustrating.

 

Personally, I cannot imagine what Jennifer and her family have been through thus far. Their lives changed overnight. Jennifer can have an episode at any given time, which is not fun to watch or experience.

 

We continue to pray for Jennifer’s healing, and for wisdom and direction for the doctors to find answers. We believe that Jesus is the Great Physician and can heal her. He is also walking with her and comforting her through this challenging journey.

 

As you can imagine, Jennifer’s condition has led to significant medical expenses—expenses the family cannot afford. This is where I'm asking for your help!

 

Would you please consider helping the Frese family financially? Medical bills are the last thing they need to be focused on. Instead, their attention should be focused solely on getting Jennifer well.

 

I’ve set a goal to raise $17,000 to assist Jennifer and her family in paying the medical expenses, including doctors, tests, medicine, and the expensive EpiPens she goes through each week. Would you be willing to join me? No amount is too small. Give $5 if you can. Give $1000 if you felt led to. I’d love to see us bless the socks off of this family!

 

I also send a plea for you to pray for Jennifer’s healing. James 5:15 says "..the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up..." Let's create an army of prayer warriors and make this healing request on Jennifer's behalf!

 

Thank you for joining me in whatever way you can!

 

God bless you,

 

Tammy

P.S. When donating, please change the tip amount by selecting "Other" and typing 0 in the amount...unless you want to give money to the GoFundMe platform. I just wanted you to know this is an option. : )