This fund was created to help Joy and her family to pay medical expenses not covered by insurance and travel expenses to the Mayo Clinic.
In 1998, Joy was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. After 11 years, her intestines nearly ruptured and she had to have emergency surgery. The dr removed all but 9 inches of her large intestines. She had a ostomy for 6 months and had it reversed in Jan 2010. We had hoped that this would be the end of the crohn's battle that she has fought since she was 8 years old (she wasn't diagnosed till the age of 20). Since this surgery, she has had many complications that have required 11 hospital stays totalling 98 days.
She is now being treated by the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl. Joy began treatment there in Sept 2010.
This week (Aug 25, 11), she was told that the crohn's has become severe again and the medication was no longer keeping things under control. She was put on Cimzia in Jan and hasn't done what was expected. Joy has pretty much been in a crohn's flare since Jan 2011.
Her colon is begining to shrink which increases her risk of obstruction which would require emergency surgery.
The dr is setting her up with a surgical consult within the next couple of weeks. This surgery would completely remove her colon and rectum. She will live with a colostomy bag for the rest of her life.
Joy's family has been very supportive of all her decisions and have stood by her through all her illnesses. Since being at the Mayo Clinic, her family has incured over $12,000 in debt.
This next surgery will require 5 to 7 days in Jacksonville with hotel expenses, food and gas. Before the flare in 2009 that began this ordeal, she was active in her church, mentoring youth and counseling teens through eating disorders, drug and acohol addiction, sexual abuse and other difficulties. Now, it is difficult for her to leave the house some days.
She is also a mother to a precious 3 year old little boy. He is the love of her life yet there are days that it is hard for her to be the mother she desires to be.
Our hope is that this final surgery will be the end to crohn's and she can continue on with her life. There will be continued expenses after this surgery due to the ostomy supplies. These cost around $200 per month (after insurance payment)
If you would prefer to send a check please send to
Joyce or Joy Odom
PO BOX 421
Putney, Ga 31782
Thank you so much for your prayers and support during this difficult ordeal.
She is now being treated by the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl. Joy began treatment there in Sept 2010.
This week (Aug 25, 11), she was told that the crohn's has become severe again and the medication was no longer keeping things under control. She was put on Cimzia in Jan and hasn't done what was expected. Joy has pretty much been in a crohn's flare since Jan 2011.
Her colon is begining to shrink which increases her risk of obstruction which would require emergency surgery.
The dr is setting her up with a surgical consult within the next couple of weeks. This surgery would completely remove her colon and rectum. She will live with a colostomy bag for the rest of her life.
Joy's family has been very supportive of all her decisions and have stood by her through all her illnesses. Since being at the Mayo Clinic, her family has incured over $12,000 in debt.
This next surgery will require 5 to 7 days in Jacksonville with hotel expenses, food and gas. Before the flare in 2009 that began this ordeal, she was active in her church, mentoring youth and counseling teens through eating disorders, drug and acohol addiction, sexual abuse and other difficulties. Now, it is difficult for her to leave the house some days.
She is also a mother to a precious 3 year old little boy. He is the love of her life yet there are days that it is hard for her to be the mother she desires to be.
Our hope is that this final surgery will be the end to crohn's and she can continue on with her life. There will be continued expenses after this surgery due to the ostomy supplies. These cost around $200 per month (after insurance payment)
If you would prefer to send a check please send to
Joyce or Joy Odom
PO BOX 421
Putney, Ga 31782
Thank you so much for your prayers and support during this difficult ordeal.
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