Kayla's CF Story
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, this mucus blocks the airways, causing lung damage and making it hard to breathe. In the pancreas, it clogs the pathways leading to the digestive system, interfering with proper digestion. There is no cure.
Kayla very recently suffered a collapsed lung, that sent her to the ER were she went into cardiac arrest. She was able to be revived, but the lack of oxygen to her brain caused her to have a stroke with brain injury. Although Kayla is in a critical state, she has made some improvement. She can respond to some simple commands, which gives us tremendous hope for her recovery.
Kayla's dad has been at her bedside every single day since mid-November, when she was flown from Cape Coral to Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Her (soon to be) stepmother makes the 2 hour drive at least 3 times per week to support Kayla and her dad, while maintaining her full time job and caring for Kayla's (soon to be) sister, Nikki, who loves to visit Kayla and talk to her about their plans to join the choir together at church. Kayla's grandma also spends the majority of her days and nights at Kayla's side, talking to her and telling her stories.
After over 6 weeks in the hospital, Kayla is ready to be discharged, but will still need full time care.
Kayla has been able to make the progress she has accomplished because her family has been by her side day and night. In order for this recovery to continue, Kayla needs to be at home, working with her family every day. She responds to the voices and commands of her family, and requires that stimulation, along with in-home therapy to continue to get better.
Kayla very recently suffered a collapsed lung, that sent her to the ER were she went into cardiac arrest. She was able to be revived, but the lack of oxygen to her brain caused her to have a stroke with brain injury. Although Kayla is in a critical state, she has made some improvement. She can respond to some simple commands, which gives us tremendous hope for her recovery.
Kayla's dad has been at her bedside every single day since mid-November, when she was flown from Cape Coral to Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Her (soon to be) stepmother makes the 2 hour drive at least 3 times per week to support Kayla and her dad, while maintaining her full time job and caring for Kayla's (soon to be) sister, Nikki, who loves to visit Kayla and talk to her about their plans to join the choir together at church. Kayla's grandma also spends the majority of her days and nights at Kayla's side, talking to her and telling her stories.
After over 6 weeks in the hospital, Kayla is ready to be discharged, but will still need full time care.
Kayla has been able to make the progress she has accomplished because her family has been by her side day and night. In order for this recovery to continue, Kayla needs to be at home, working with her family every day. She responds to the voices and commands of her family, and requires that stimulation, along with in-home therapy to continue to get better.