Jona's Story
After exhausting every possible treatment for gastroparesis, Jonna finally found relief through Enterra® Therapy. Since her recovery, she has dedicated her life to supporting children who face rare medical conditions.
In early 2015, Jonna’s health took a sudden turn. Within weeks, she caught several severe infections at once—the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
When she began vomiting repeatedly the following month, she assumed her body was still recovering from those illnesses. Yet the nausea never subsided. After weeks of trying to wait it out, she realized something deeper was wrong.
By spring, Jonna consulted a gastroenterologist, who diagnosed her with gastroparesis, a condition that slows or stops stomach emptying.
Her doctor prescribed a series of medications—erythromycin and Reglan® among them. None eased her symptoms, and each came with its own difficult side effects.
Searching for relief, Jonna began a very restrictive diet. Over five weeks, she lost nearly twenty pounds, but her condition didn’t improve. She then turned to other ways of getting nutrition. Over several months, she cycled through NJ tubes, a GJ tube, and eventually TPN (intravenous feeding).
Although her physician was caring and persistent, Jonna’s case was too complex for the resources available. Eventually, she was referred to specialists in gastrointestinal motility disorders for advanced care.
Finding Enterra® Therapy
By early 2016, Jonna’s mother discovered a specialist at a leading hospital in Ohio—a facility experienced in treating gastroparesis. The family made the ten-hour drive from New Jersey every few months, determined to find real answers.
After extensive evaluation, her new gastroenterologist suggested Enterra® Therapy, a treatment designed to regulate stomach function through gentle electrical stimulation.
In 2017, Jonna underwent the procedure. Within six months, her life began to change. She progressed from being unable to eat anything at all to tolerating small foods again—starting with simple crackers. Gradually, she could enjoy full meals without constant nausea or vomiting.
She still remembers the first meal she could finish comfortably, calling it a turning point she’ll never forget.
Living with Enterra® Therapy
Today, Jonna continues to manage her condition, but her world looks completely different. While some days are still challenging, she now lives a vibrant, independent life she once thought impossible.
She’s currently pursuing a degree in Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University’s Dyson School of Business. Her studies—and her personal experience—fuel her mission to empower children with rare diseases, including gastroparesis, through her own nonprofit organization.
Jonna credits her family for giving her strength throughout her journey. Their unwavering encouragement, even during her sickest moments, helped her stay hopeful and forward-looking.
Now, she channels that same energy into helping others. Alongside her studies and nonprofit work, she mentors newly diagnosed patients, sharing her story to inspire hope.
“Enterra® Therapy changed everything,” Jonna says. “It didn’t just help me eat again—it gave me a future I couldn’t imagine before.”