Shawnee Mother Undergoes Multiple Amputations After Tick Bite

A Shawnee woman has been in the hospital for over a month and has undergone multiple surgeries after being bitten by a tick while on vacation at Grand Lake in early July.

According to family, 40-year-old Jo Rogers has been in and out of three different hospitals since July 9 after returning from a trip to the lake.  

The mother of two went into septic shock while at an OKC hospital and had to be put into a coma. She was tested for a number of viral and bacterial infections, including meningitis and West Nile, and all the results came back negative.

Infections were spreading in her limbs and doctors had no choice but to amputate. Rogers’ right leg was removed at mid-thigh. Her left leg was removed below the knee. Both of her arms were amputated mid-forearm and more surgeries are being planned.

Doctors soon learned they were dealing with an extremely bad case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

With the mounting medical bills, rehab, the need for prosthetic limbs and other expenses, the family is reaching out to the public for help.

Learn how you can help.