Jess Update

From Jo

Last week Jess and I went to the Wellness Center to see her new naturopath. The visits are usually pretty lengthy. One visit can take up most of a day, but it is always productive and educational! Jess had to endure a long series of tests. The questioning is so intense it can feel like you’re on trial. I love that at this center they leave no stone unturned. Results revealed that Jess has been hard at work and it is paying off!
I am so proud of how dedicated she has been with her diet! She has had to get super creative since being on the vegan diet. She was also not allowed to have any gluten, no sweeteners, no fruit, no dairy, etc. The diet is time consuming when it comes to prep and clean up! After one day it could easily take up to two hours just to do the dishes, clean her blender, juicer, and kitchen! Jess has been juicing up to 40 oz of organic veggies/day and has a 40 oz organic, anti-cancer smoothie/day! Thank you to all of you who have sent her groceries. Her grocery bill is astronomically high from buying so much organic produce! Since she is so dedicated she was rewarded with being allowed to have 3 servings of organic, cage free chicken or wild caught salmon/week and 1 serving of low fructose fruit per day! Jess has missed having fruit! I cannot imagine not being allowed to have so many food items. Jess took it like a champ. So proud of my Super Twin who happily eats like a rabbit!!
Jess has been required to exercise 30min/day 7 days a week. Her naturopath was very firm about this. She reminds me of a boot camp instructor! She will turn people away if they are not willing to make extreme sacrifices. These sacrifices are so worth it! Jess showed signs of improvement, but her doctor told her she has a long way to go. Dr Luneski was not happy that her liver is still bogged down by toxins. She increased some of her supplements and is now requiring 40min minimum of exercise per day with no rest days!
Dr. Luneski increased some of her supplements, which means that it will be more time consuming. The supplements she takes require special prep before she ingests them. She also has all of these breathing exercises she has to do. The doctor really wants Jess to eliminate stress. Dr luneski told us that lowering Jess’ stress should be our primary goal right now. We are researching yoga, meditation and other methods used for relaxation.
Extra prayers are needed right now because while Jess is progressing nicely, she is experiencing a lot of detoxing symptoms. Over the last month she has a record number of colds and headaches. Dr Luneski reminded us that these symptoms are normal. In the past she wasn’t healthy enough to release toxins. The toxins were trapped in the cells. As she improves, the cells will release the toxins and cause temporary symptoms. Jess makes me smile when she is super excited about these brutal symptoms because it means she is healing. I have never known a happier person while in pain. This joy definitely comes from the Lord! Even though Jess is so chipper she needs extra encouragement. This road has been long and hard, but God has been faithful. I pray all day everyday that God will provide continued support and encouragement for the Rehns. Their tank needs to be filled to keep going. A kind word of encouragement in the morning can give her the strength she needs to keep giving this battle everything she has all day long.
Jess is also experiencing painful spasms in her abdomen and hip area. We believe it is due to adhesions forming after her ovary and fallopian tube removal surgery. She has to see the doctor to be sure this is the cause for her pain.
Pray that Rachel and Seth continue to adapt well. They are showing more and more concern over mommy. They wonder how much longer will mommy have to see so many doctors? How long will she be so tired? Jonathan has been working extra hard to take the kids away during these times so they only see their mommy at her best. Pray that God will provide extra strength for Jonathan.
This month is a super busy month filled with extra appointments. She has two holistic dental appointments, lab work, oncologist visits, thermography tests to check her progress and a scan. Rachel and Seth finish school at the end of this month too. Jess has been hard at work taking them to school(she is required to go and help teach) and going over daily school lessons. She might be more excited about the Summer break than Rachel and Seth! Rachel turns 5 this month! She is growing up so fast.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. We are blessed beyond measure. If you have a spare moment please encourage Jess and Jonathan any way you can. While Jess is experiencing intense/painful detox symptoms and gearing up for testing they could use the encouragement more than ever.

-Jo