Jennifer’s Story

Site created on July 9, 2018

it was three weeks today that Jenn was taken by  an ambulance to St Mary’s hospital  in West Palm Beach Florida.   The stroke team immediately went to work to stabilize her and diagnose that one of two blood clots in her throat travelled to her left frontal and temporal part of her brain.  The initial news was that she was paralyzed on right side, may never speak, or understand language.  Her journey has been baby steps towards progress. We know she is in there as she has raised her left hand and can show you two fingers, thumbs up on command.   At 35 we have FAITH she will recover.   We also believe that God has blessed her with that spicy, competitive, spirit that at times will drive us crazy- but I believe God prepared her for this journey as her attitude will help her turn baby steps into strides.  She is still breathing on a ventilator. Today she will receive a tracheotomy.    
So many people have reached out.   I opened this site to keep you all informed and more importantly for prayers. If everyday you can take 20 seconds to ask the Lord to give Jenn the strength -  many thanks. 
I have made a donation to this site to help us stay connected., you do not need to donate.  At this point she can not receive flowers,   You can send cards to the following address:  
Jennifer Kohlhepp
Select Hospital ICU 4
3060 Meleluca lane
Lake Worth, Florida.   33461

Newest Update

Journal entry by Stephanie Bonsall

Hello, everyone.

       I am happy to continually report great news. Jenny moved her fingers on her right hand two days ago. This was a huge gain and motivating achievement. She is getting around the house on her own and even helping out with cleaning. But my favorite thing to see is our two boys snuggled up with mom as she reads them “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. 

       Jenny remains on blood thinners and has an umbrella-like net in her thigh to temporarily prevent further clots. A microsurgery will eventually take place to close the hole in Jenny’s heart to help more permanently prevent future clots.

       This weekend my mom will watch the boys as I take Jenny out for an afternoon of one of our favorite past times, miniature golf. Who would’ve thought. We are very, very excited about it. 

       It’s extremely easy to become emotional when thinking about how far we’ve come. And simply for the sake of gratitude and the manifestation of just how fragile life really is, I’ll never forget when the Dr. sat me down and told me that my wife’s brain damage was so intense from not just one, but two brain clots, that she wouldn’t be able to understand the English language. Oh, how far she’s come! This kind of rebound from such a massive stroke is nothing short of Divine. So thank you to everyone for your prayers, everyone of them helps.

-John

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