Hope for Kyle

My name is Alexis and I began this page in honor of my cousin Kyle.  He has been fighting illness and disease his entire life, however over the last six weeks, his health took an unexpected turn for the worse.

From a very young age, Kyle has been on many medications, including anti-seizure medicine.  This medication has been essential, for years, in the prevention of reoccuring seizures that he would otherwise suffer from.  However, no doctors ever explained the long term and devastating side effects that went along with this medicine.  Six weeks ago, Kyle was rushed to the hospital when he began suffering from chronic pancreatitis.  This was a result of the long term use of his anti-seizure medication.  Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas which had developed over many years and can cause life-threatening effects on one's body.  Upon hospitalization, Kyle also quickly developed colitis, which is the inflammation of the colon.  This has caused extreme pain for Kyle.  Unfortunately, the doctors are unable to pinpoint an effective solution for him, as of yet.  After four weeks of hospitalization, Kyle was released, still with no definite answers or solutions.  

Although Kyle was happy to be back in the familiar comfort of his own home, his happiness was short lived.  Last night, just about two weeks since his extensive hospital stay came to an end, Kyle was rushed back in, convulsing, and in more pain than ever before.  After hours of trying, the hospital staff was finally able to get Kyle to fall asleep.  However, there are still no answers.  Kyle has been on a strict liquid diet for the past 6 weeks.  This will have to continue until doctors can pinpoint and tackle the exact root of his pain.  

Kyle was born on August 22, 1986. At birth he was diagnosed with microcephaly, a rare neurological condition in which an infant's head is significantly smaller than normal, as a result of abnormal brain development. Because of the lack of development in his brain, Kyle was born with severe intellectual disabilities.

Kyle has also suffered from cerebral palsy since he was a baby. With his muscles unable to develop fully, Kyle quickly developed severe scoliosis. Over the years, his condition has become increasingly worse. Currently, Kyle's back is at 55% curvature; at 60%, he will require major back surgery. This will not be Kyle's first surgery, however. As a toddler, he underwent eye surgery to correct his severely crossed eyes, and over the years he has had countless oral surgeries, ending with all of his teeth being removed just a year ago, when the pain became too much for him to stand.

Kyle has lived in pain his entire life.  However, this has never stopped him from being the shining light in our large family.  There is never a time during family functions, that you can look over and not see a smile on Kyle's face.  He often walks through the crowd of aunts, uncles, and cousins that surround him, rubbing everyones back and telling them he loves them.  Nothing brings him more joy than to have everyone together.  Through all the pain he suffers, Kyle has also never lost his sense of humor.  He pokes fun at his grandparents, sister, neice, nephew, and cousins, and laughs uncontrollably at everyones reaction.  He brings joy into every room he enters and his positive energy is contagious. 

In just a couple weeks, Kyle will be turning 30.  This is an amazing milestone, considering many doctors did not predict he would live a long life.  With his recent month long stay, and his time now back in the hospital, medical bills are adding up quickly.  This has become an overwhelming issue for Kyle's mother (who has dedicated her life to Kyle's care), his step-father, and other family members who are trying to help with costs. It is very unlike my family to reach out for help.  We were raised to be hard-workers, and to earn everything in life.  But sometimes, hard-working people like my aunt, deserve a helping hand.  All of the proceeds raised will be going towards Kyle's hospital bills, as well as the cost of his extremely expensive perscriptions.  These donations will ensure that Kyle is able to remain in the hospital and continue treatment for as long as the doctors feel necessary.  From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank everyone who is willing to help.  Your contributions mean the world to my family, and especially to my amazing cousin, Kyle.