Donation protected
My name is Kylie and my mother is Dawn Kitzmiller. Recently, horrible news developed regarding Dawn's health and it has changed our family's "norm" forever. What started with a small cough, turned into cancer and brain tumors. Here's the full story...
Dawn went in for her yearly physical and her doctor noticed a small cough. It was explained that this was a small side effect to some medication she had been prescribed years prior. Alternative medication was attempted, but the side effects were much worse than a minor, sporadic cough. Upon running some labs, it was determined that she was developing Osteoporosis due to her body not retaining calcium like it should. She was told that she would need surgery on her parathyroid and that this would resolve many of their concerns.
While preparing for that surgery by submitting more blood labs, urine samples, and establishing additional medical doctors to take on the task, she also had to get a scan of her neck to determine which nodule(s) they needed to remove on the parathyroid. When the scan was completed, the technician captured both her neck (as ordered) and also caught a portion on her head. While reading the results of this scan, the doctor saw an active tumor on her pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped gland situated at the base of your brain, somewhat behind your nose and between your ears. Despite its small size, the gland influences nearly every part of your body. The hormones it produces help regulate important functions, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
It was decided that the parathyroid surgery would get put on hold and the main focus would be on the removal of the tumor on her pituitary. All labs, samples, scans, MRIs, and doctor appointments started all over again but with a new focus on the pituitary. As a final step in the pre-op process, they took a scan on her abdomen area to be sure her organs were functioning at a rate that would allow them to operate on her pituitary. Unfortunately, the results of this scan found cancer in one of her kidneys. The main focus was, again, shifted.
They were able to schedule her immediately for the kidney cancer removal surgery. Following surgery, pathology of the cancer spot came back with results that all cancer was removed and the surgery was a success. She will have to return for regular scans for many years but for now, this is considered a "win" for books. While recovering from kidney surgery, she continued preparation for her pituitary surgery.
The day came for the pituitary surgery and verdict was that it was a success and they were confident in their results. A little over a week later, she went for her follow up appointment and all seemed to be going well; however, that night, things took a turn for the worst. She began to feel nauseous and had a headache to the point of physical illness. Once fluids began running out, this concerned her husband to the point of needing to call an ambulance to transport her to the hospital. Unfortunately, the local hospital was unable to treat these symptoms appropriately and she was life flighted (by helicopter) back to Boise, Idaho.
Upon her arrival to the Saint Luke's Hospital, they conducted many tests along with a spinal tap and it was determined that her spinal fluids were septic and they diagnosed her with Meningitis. It was also discovered that the incision created during the pituitary surgery was reopened and that was the fluid she was leaking when she was at home. A lumbar tube was inserted for hourly fluid drains, she needed a catheter, her IV's were all failing due to her veins being blown out (and sore) so a PICC line was inserted, her movement was limited to lying down between a 15-30 degree incline at all times, more scans and MRIs, around the clock monitoring, little sleep, and minimal hope. After a week of her own personal hell, they decided if she could get through the night with no symptoms after removing the lumbar tube, then she would be discharged to go home.
Again, things took a turn for the worst. She began to have similar symptoms of nausea and headaches. The surgeons decided it was time to operate again to make sure the incision site was plugged and that fluids were not leaking. So instead of being released, she went right back into surgery.
Following the surgery, it was reported by the team of surgeons that this surgery was a success and that the leaking will stop. The lumbar tube was reinserted so they could continue to drain the septic/infected fluids while she remained at the hospital.
At this time, they are monitoring her status closely and they are optimistic about her results; however, her road to recovery is going to be long and difficult. Not to mention, she still has her parathyroid surgery to complete in the future along with many follow up appointments, labs, samples, scans, etc.
Was it mentioned that all of these appointments, surgeries, scans, etc. are all based out of Boise, Idaho - TWO HOURS AWAY from their home?! All of these trips and bills are beginning to add up to quite a large amount. Between the doctor appointments, labs, testing, scans, MRIs, surgeries, hospital stays, gas, food, hotels, etc. it has all become too much. Not to mention, she is unable to work and cannot be alone for very long so her husband is also putting work on hold in many ways. The calls to collect funds and bills started rolling in prior to her even being discharged from the hospital. There have been many people that have reached out offering to assist through this stressful time; however, there was no way for us to track the donations being offered, thus the reason for this GoFundMe account.
Dawn is the best grandmother, mom, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend anyone could ask for. She is loved by many and grateful for all the support, love and prayers she has received. Based on how many people have already reached out and expressed their support, it is obvious what a majorly positive impact Dawn has made on this world and in her community.
If you are unable to donate, prayers and shares are equally appreciated. Let's help make this stressful time a little less stressful for my mom so she can focus on recovering and being healthy as opposed to stressing the financial burden this has brought them.
Dawn went in for her yearly physical and her doctor noticed a small cough. It was explained that this was a small side effect to some medication she had been prescribed years prior. Alternative medication was attempted, but the side effects were much worse than a minor, sporadic cough. Upon running some labs, it was determined that she was developing Osteoporosis due to her body not retaining calcium like it should. She was told that she would need surgery on her parathyroid and that this would resolve many of their concerns.
While preparing for that surgery by submitting more blood labs, urine samples, and establishing additional medical doctors to take on the task, she also had to get a scan of her neck to determine which nodule(s) they needed to remove on the parathyroid. When the scan was completed, the technician captured both her neck (as ordered) and also caught a portion on her head. While reading the results of this scan, the doctor saw an active tumor on her pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped gland situated at the base of your brain, somewhat behind your nose and between your ears. Despite its small size, the gland influences nearly every part of your body. The hormones it produces help regulate important functions, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
It was decided that the parathyroid surgery would get put on hold and the main focus would be on the removal of the tumor on her pituitary. All labs, samples, scans, MRIs, and doctor appointments started all over again but with a new focus on the pituitary. As a final step in the pre-op process, they took a scan on her abdomen area to be sure her organs were functioning at a rate that would allow them to operate on her pituitary. Unfortunately, the results of this scan found cancer in one of her kidneys. The main focus was, again, shifted.
They were able to schedule her immediately for the kidney cancer removal surgery. Following surgery, pathology of the cancer spot came back with results that all cancer was removed and the surgery was a success. She will have to return for regular scans for many years but for now, this is considered a "win" for books. While recovering from kidney surgery, she continued preparation for her pituitary surgery.
The day came for the pituitary surgery and verdict was that it was a success and they were confident in their results. A little over a week later, she went for her follow up appointment and all seemed to be going well; however, that night, things took a turn for the worst. She began to feel nauseous and had a headache to the point of physical illness. Once fluids began running out, this concerned her husband to the point of needing to call an ambulance to transport her to the hospital. Unfortunately, the local hospital was unable to treat these symptoms appropriately and she was life flighted (by helicopter) back to Boise, Idaho.
Upon her arrival to the Saint Luke's Hospital, they conducted many tests along with a spinal tap and it was determined that her spinal fluids were septic and they diagnosed her with Meningitis. It was also discovered that the incision created during the pituitary surgery was reopened and that was the fluid she was leaking when she was at home. A lumbar tube was inserted for hourly fluid drains, she needed a catheter, her IV's were all failing due to her veins being blown out (and sore) so a PICC line was inserted, her movement was limited to lying down between a 15-30 degree incline at all times, more scans and MRIs, around the clock monitoring, little sleep, and minimal hope. After a week of her own personal hell, they decided if she could get through the night with no symptoms after removing the lumbar tube, then she would be discharged to go home.
Again, things took a turn for the worst. She began to have similar symptoms of nausea and headaches. The surgeons decided it was time to operate again to make sure the incision site was plugged and that fluids were not leaking. So instead of being released, she went right back into surgery.
Following the surgery, it was reported by the team of surgeons that this surgery was a success and that the leaking will stop. The lumbar tube was reinserted so they could continue to drain the septic/infected fluids while she remained at the hospital.
At this time, they are monitoring her status closely and they are optimistic about her results; however, her road to recovery is going to be long and difficult. Not to mention, she still has her parathyroid surgery to complete in the future along with many follow up appointments, labs, samples, scans, etc.
Was it mentioned that all of these appointments, surgeries, scans, etc. are all based out of Boise, Idaho - TWO HOURS AWAY from their home?! All of these trips and bills are beginning to add up to quite a large amount. Between the doctor appointments, labs, testing, scans, MRIs, surgeries, hospital stays, gas, food, hotels, etc. it has all become too much. Not to mention, she is unable to work and cannot be alone for very long so her husband is also putting work on hold in many ways. The calls to collect funds and bills started rolling in prior to her even being discharged from the hospital. There have been many people that have reached out offering to assist through this stressful time; however, there was no way for us to track the donations being offered, thus the reason for this GoFundMe account.
Dawn is the best grandmother, mom, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend anyone could ask for. She is loved by many and grateful for all the support, love and prayers she has received. Based on how many people have already reached out and expressed their support, it is obvious what a majorly positive impact Dawn has made on this world and in her community.
If you are unable to donate, prayers and shares are equally appreciated. Let's help make this stressful time a little less stressful for my mom so she can focus on recovering and being healthy as opposed to stressing the financial burden this has brought them.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kylie Kitzmiller
Organizer
Henderson, NV
Dawn Kitzmiller
Beneficiary