Words fall short at times like these. Where to begin? My daughter Alaina (13), on Sept 8, 2025, had a seizure at home. She was rushed to Lakeland Regional. They did bloodwork and let us know we were being transferred to Nemours PICU, Children’s Hospital in Orlando. My heart dropped. There we were told Alaina's kidneys were not working anymore. She was diagnosed with (ESRD) End Stage Renal Disease and (AKI) acute kidney injury. Over the next 8 days, we fought to keep Alaina alive. On Sept 10, 2025, a hemodialysis catheter was inserted, and from there she started receiving dialysis. Alaina is in the process of being added to the kidney transplant list.

We are a blended family of 9, ranging from 17 to 4 months old. I have had to step away from my job permanently to give my all. I know God is walking with us every step of the way.

This journey has just begun. On Oct 7, 2025, Alaina will undergo a second surgery and stay in PICU to have Peritoneal Dialysis (PD).

In PD, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the abdomen. After this, we will wait for it to heal and undergo training so Alaina can receive treatments at home seven days a week. As of now, we are making three trips a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, back and forth to Orlando for Alaina to receive her dialysis. Trips are an hour there and an hour back. The gas alone is a lot. In order for Alaina to do treatments at home, she has to have her own bedroom. We do have a four-bedroom home that we plan to renovate to make an additional room for her. This costs money that we just don’t have.

Alaina also is on a very strict renal diet. Groceries alone have been a struggle. I’ve never wanted to be that person to ask for help, but God knows we need it. He has never failed me. The bills haven’t stopped and we're hurting. I get up every day and keep pushing, not just for her but for our family we’ve created together. We can’t and won’t let these kids down. I appreciate every one of you who have stepped in and stepped up for us during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for us. I wholeheartedly believe my God will carry us through this. I’m here asking and praying for help as we navigate our new lives. Thank you all for your support and prayers.