Brookie and Family

Hi, this is my niece Brooklynn aka "Brookie." Brookie is four and a half years old. About a year ago, she started having major asthma attacks, which led to headaches, sinus infections, pain in her legs, and swelling around the eyes and face. These were the first signs of a long road that feels never-ending for Brookie and her family. The last year has been spent in the hospital with long stays, exploratory surgeries, and a lot of medication. She was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome, but they have yet to find the underlying cause or cure that helps. There is still a lot of unknown with Brookie's specific condition, and they are currently in the testing process. The last three months have consisted of trips to the emergency room, ambulance rides, a life flight, and driving four hours every two weeks to necessary appointments. Her team consists of Allergy & Immunology, Rheumatology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Otolaryngology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Endocrinologist, and a Dermatologist.

Hypereosinophilic (hy-per-ee-o-SIN-o-phil-ik) syndrome (HES) is a group of blood disorders that occur when you have high numbers of eosinophils — white blood cells that play an important role in your immune system. Over time, the excess eosinophils enter various tissues, eventually damaging your organs. The most common targets are the skin, lungs, digestive tract, heart, blood and nervous system. Untreated, HES can become life-threatening. In April, the team discovered the eosinophils had damaged all of the targets throughout Brooklynn's body.

The family has been able to stay afloat as insurance covers most of the cost. What is not accounted for are the two-hour drives to and from the hospital and appointments, hotel rooms, food and medication. Brookie has a younger brother who has to stay home with his grandparents and extended family while their parents are in the hospital with Brookie. Having a hotel room across from the hospital would help him see his family more, and dad will be able to take more time off to be with his family. Many people have been asking what they can do or how they can help; I figured this would be the best way. Thank you so much for your love and support.

So much love, Carli