Help Support Kayla & Her Family Through a Difficult Time

I’m creating this GoFundMe for my amazing friend Kayla and her family, who are going through an incredibly tough time right now.

Over the past few weeks, Kayla has been dealing with some serious health issues. After several tests and imaging, doctors found that her body is having a hard time moving fluid through her brain, head, and spine, and that some veins are narrowed, bilateral venous sinus narrowing, which restricts blood flow in the veins around her brain and may be causing the increased pressure, headaches, and other neurological symptoms. Her brain scan also showed an empty sella — a finding that could be related, so she’s been referred to an endocrinologist to check for any pituitary issues  This has caused elevated pressure, constant noise in her head, fatigue, and anxiety — and it’s been physically and emotionally draining for her.

She recently had a lumbar puncture procedure in Bellingham to help relieve the pressure and run more tests. While the procedure was successful, the recovery has been rough — she’s been in pain, sick, and experiencing positional headaches that keep her mostly lying flat. She’s being monitored for intracranial hypertension, and while it was thankfully caught early, it’s still a scary and uncertain road ahead as she works to protect her health and vision.

Between medical expenses, travel for appointments, and both Kayla and her husband missing work to manage everything, the bills are starting to pile up. This fundraiser is to help ease that financial burden — covering medical costs, travel expenses, and everyday bills — so they can focus on healing, family, and stability during this difficult time.

Kayla is one of the most caring, strong, and selfless people I know. Even when she doesn’t share what she’s going through, she’s always the first to show up for others. Now it’s our turn to show up for her.

Any donation — no matter the size — will make a difference and mean so much to her family. And if you can’t give financially, please send prayers, love, and good vibes their way. ❤️

Thank you all for your kindness and support.

— Mariah Schwake