Update from Casandra – April 16, 2025

It’s hard to put into words just how much your support has meant to our family. Every donation, message, and share has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives—and now, we’re finally beginning to breathe again.

Kolton is home. After facing the unimaginable—being placed on palliative care, nearly losing him, and then receiving the gift of life through a double lung transplant—we’re now watching him thrive. He’s up 30 pounds, walking around with his camera in hand, taking in the world he fought so hard to stay in. Every breath he takes is a miracle, and we’re so proud of the strength he continues to show every single day.

But the journey isn’t over.

Kolton’s recovery continues at home, filled with daily medications, physio, and the emotional toll of adapting to a whole new way of life. As a family, we’ve shifted to a single income so I can remain by his side as his caregiver. The financial weight is still heavy, and we continue to rely on this campaign to help cover the costs of prescriptions, special dietary needs, and everyday essentials as he heals.

If you're able to continue sharing or donating, we would be incredibly grateful. And even if you can’t contribute financially, please keep Kolton in your thoughts—and spread the word. The more eyes on this, the better chance we have of staying afloat.

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. For believing in our son. For helping us fight for his future. For holding us up when we were too exhausted to stand.

With love and endless gratitude,

Casandra, Joe, Kolton & Family

March 3rd

Kolton’s Journey: The Final Stretch & Our Greatest Need

As we move through the final months of Kolton’s recovery, we are facing one of the hardest parts of this journey—both emotionally and financially. Kolton’s transplant was a miracle, and his progress has been incredible, but the reality is, we are not at the finish line yet. Recovery from a double lung transplant is long, unpredictable, and demanding.

One of the biggest challenges right now is the financial strain of traveling to Vancouver multiple times a week for Kolton’s follow-up care. These trips are essential to ensure his body continues to accept his new lungs and to catch any complications early. However, the cost of gas and time away from work is adding up quickly.

On top of that, household expenses continue to stack up. With only one income right now, keeping up with rent, utilities, groceries, and other essentials has become overwhelming. We’ve done everything we can to stretch what we have—cutting expenses, fundraising, and trying to manage—but we are at a point where we need help to get through this last stretch.

If you have already donated, shared, or simply sent words of encouragement, please know how much that means to us. Every bit of support has helped us get this far. If you’re able to contribute, whether by donating or sharing our story, it would mean the world to us.

Kolton has fought so hard to be here, and we are doing everything possible to give him the best chance at a full recovery. We just need a little more help to see this through.

Thank you for standing by us. Your love and support are what keep us going.

Jan, 17th , 2025

Update: The Last Few Days

We’re celebrating another huge milestone today—Kolton had his last chest tube removed! It’s been a long and painful process, but this step is monumental in his recovery, and we are so proud of him.

Kolton is now officially 10 days post-transplant. He’s settled into a private room on the 12th floor with an incredible view of Vancouver and the mountains—a space that feels much more comfortable and like a place to start truly healing.

Yesterday, Kolton gave himself his first injection. With guidance from the transplant team, he practiced on a stress ball and then took the brave step of doing it himself. It’s a huge achievement, and he’s gaining more independence every day. He’s also been learning to track his vitals, manage his medications, and follow the daily routines that will become part of his life.

Even after discharge, Kolton will spend four days a week at the hospital for months, going back and forth for physiotherapy, lab work, and follow-ups. The schedule will eventually taper off, but for now, it’s a reminder of how involved this recovery process truly is.

Pain and nausea remain a part of daily life, but they’re being carefully managed. His heart rate is high due to years of overcompensating for his lung function, but this is his new normal, and the doctors say it’s something he can live with.

We’ve also seen some beautiful moments of joy this week. Kolton has been using his telescope—a gift we weren’t sure he’d ever get to enjoy—and we’ll be sharing some of his incredible photography soon. His talent behind the camera is undeniable, and it’s a hobby he’s excited to dive back into as he gets stronger.

He’s also been working on 3D-printed keychains, a project he finds both therapeutic and rewarding. Kolton is blown away by the support for this project and wants everyone to know how much he appreciates their patience as he and his mom work on fulfilling all the orders.

We’ve spent the last few days meeting with his care team, including dietitians, physiotherapists, and transplant specialists, to prepare for what’s ahead. The daily routines, hydration needs, and medication management are overwhelming at times, but we’re taking it one step at a time.

As a family, we’re still processing the emotional rollercoaster of the past few weeks. From the fear of losing Kolton after his collapse on December 26th to the miracle of his transplant on January 7th, it’s been overwhelming. We know we haven’t even begun to fully process everything.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us with your messages, prayers, and kindness. You’ve been a light in our darkest moments and a constant source of strength. Please continue to share Kolton’s GoFundMe and his story—it makes such a difference in his recovery journey.

With love and gratitude,

Kolton, Casandra, and Joe

Update Jan 12th, Post Transplant Day 5

Reflecting on Strength, Pain, and Hope

This morning, on the way to the hospital, I had to pull over. The mountains stood tall, and the sun shone brightly, casting its light over everything. For a moment, I just sat there, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions—grief, hope, fear, and gratitude. It felt as if the world was offering a quiet reminder that even in the hardest, darkest times, there’s still beauty, still light, still something to hold on to. After everything we’ve been through, that moment was a gift—a brief breath in the middle of an emotional storm.

Kolton got up and walked today. Slowly, carefully, with every step showing just how much pain he’s in, but he did it. Watching him move, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes and the strain on his face, was both incredible and heartbreaking. He’s pushing through something no young man should ever have to endure. Every step forward fills us with pride, but it also brings a deep sadness knowing what he’s had to endure just to be here.

This morning, Kolton faced another hurdle—two of his four chest tubes were removed. It was a painful procedure, but one that marked progress in his recovery. Despite how drained he was afterward, he kept going, because that’s who he is—a warrior who never gives up. His determination and resilience leave us in awe every single day. The road ahead is long—so long—but if anyone can conquer it, it’s Kolton.

While Kolton’s chest tubes were being removed, we stepped outside into the clear, sunny day. I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the sun hit my face, and for a moment, I felt a sense of calm. It was as if the sun itself was reminding me to keep going, to hold on, and to trust that brighter days will come. Moments like that are what we cling to, little pieces of hope in the middle of this overwhelming journey.

Through it all, we are constantly reminded of something else—this miracle wouldn’t have been possible without a selfless donor and their family. Somewhere out there, a family is grieving the loss of someone they love. Their darkest moment gave us our brightest hope, and we will never, ever forget that. Because of their decision to be an organ donor, Kolton was given a second chance at life. It’s something we will carry with us forever—their gift, their sacrifice, their unimaginable strength.

Please, if you haven’t already, sign up to be an organ donor. It’s the ultimate act of kindness, a gift that can save and transform lives. Because of one donor’s decision, Kolton is here with us today, fighting for his future. You never know whose life you could change by making that choice.

Kolton asked us for something special today—he wants us to bring Bentley, his beloved dog, to visit him soon. Even in the midst of all this pain, he finds comfort in the little things. And of course, we’ll make that happen. He deserves every bit of love and joy we can give him after everything he’s been through.

We can’t do this alone. Kolton needs all the support, love, and prayers he can get. Every message, every prayer, every share of his story helps in ways we can’t even explain. They lift us up when we’re barely holding on, and they give Kolton the strength to keep pushing forward. Please, keep praying—pray for his strength, his healing, and for peace as he navigates this long road ahead.

We are endlessly grateful to the incredible team at VGH—their kindness, expertise, and support have made this journey a little easier to bear. And to all of you—thank you for standing with us, for sharing Kolton’s story, and for believing in him. Your love, encouragement, and prayers mean everything to us right now.

I’ll post another update later, as I always do. Thank you for walking this journey with us, for keeping us in your hearts, and for sharing Kolton’s story. Together, we will get through this—step by step, day by day.

With love and gratitude,

Casandra and joe

Update Jan 8th, Post Transplant Day 1

Kolton is Breathing on His Own – A Miracle in Motion

We are overjoyed to share that Kolton is officially off life support and breathing on his own! After everything he has endured, after the fight of his life, he took his very first breath with his new lungs—a breath he has never truly experienced before. It’s overwhelming. It’s emotional. It’s everything we’ve been praying for.

Most patients take about a week to come off life support after such an intense surgery, but not Kolton. In true Kolton fashion, he fought hard and proved once again that he’s stronger than anyone could have imagined. He didn’t wait—he was ready.

Kolton is proving once again that he’s a warrior. He’s fought so hard, and now, for the first time in his life, he’s breathing without the struggle that’s been his reality since he was a child. The disease that almost took his life is gone, and today, he is breathing freely, something most of us take for granted every day.

This moment is nothing short of a miracle, but the road ahead is still long. He remains in the ICU, full of IVs, chest tubes, and on countless medications. His body has been through hell, and now it’s about healing, one breath at a time.

We are so incredibly proud of him. His strength, resilience, and will to live continue to amaze us every single day. As parents, we are filled with gratitude, hope, and joy, but we know there’s still a long journey ahead.

Please, continue to pray for Kolton. Pray for his strength as his body adjusts to life with these new lungs. Pray for continued healing, and pray that his body doesn’t reject them. Your prayers have worked—we feel them, we see them in Kolton’s progress, and we can’t thank you enough.

Keep sharing his story, keep sending your love, and if you can, please donate to his GoFundMe. We are still by his side, unable to work, and facing a long road of recovery ahead. Every prayer, every message, every donation, and every share matters more than ever.

Today, Kolton took a breath that changed everything. It’s a moment we’ll never forget, and it’s because of the strength and love of everyone who’s stood with us that we’ve made it this far.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

With love and gratitude,

Casandra, Joe, and family

https://gofund.me/518f5567

Update Jan 7th, 2025

Kolton’s Transplant – Surgery Has Begun

Kolton is officially in surgery. It’s expected to take 10-12 hours, and during that time, his body will be put through unimaginable stress. When the surgery is over, he will remain intubated, with multiple IVs in his arms, wrists, groin, neck, and chest. Just thinking about what he’s going through right now is almost too much to bear.

I didn’t cry until they took him back for surgery, but when they did, it felt like a part of me went with him. He’s not just our son—he’s a brother, an uncle, and a friend to so many. He’s selfless, humble, and kind. He’s the kind of person who lights up every room he enters, and watching him go through this is the hardest thing we’ve ever faced.

He has an incredible team of surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists who have shown us nothing but compassion. We trust them, and we’re holding on to hope that this is the moment we’ve been waiting for—a second chance at life for Kolton.

Now, more than ever, we need your support. Please, pray harder than ever before. Pray for Kolton’s strength to get through this surgery and for his body to accept the new lungs. Pray for the donor and their family, who are spending this night grieving while giving the ultimate gift of life. Pray for us—for the strength to get through the long hours ahead and for the strength we’ll need in the days to come.

We are so grateful for every prayer, message, and bit of support you’ve already given us. Your messages keep us going—they remind us that we’re not alone in this fight.

If you can, please share Kolton’s GoFundMe. Joe had his first day back at work yesterday, and today, everything changed again. The road ahead will be long and difficult, and we need to be by Kolton’s side every step of the way. Every donation, every share, and every bit of support means the world to us right now.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Please, keep praying. We need those prayers now more than ever.

With all our love,

Casandra, Joe, Craig and all of our family ❤️

We have been posting daily updates on my Facebook page Casandra Hiscock ❤️

Update Jan 2nd, 2025

An Emotional Milestone in Kolton’s Journey

Today, after an incredibly difficult week in the hospital, we were able to bring our son Kolton home. At 25 years old, Kolton has been fighting bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and devastating lung disease, since he was just 1 year old. His journey has been filled with unimaginable challenges—frequent hospitalizations, life support, and now the wait for a life-saving double lung transplant.

While we are grateful to have him home, this marks the beginning of a very fragile chapter: end-of-life care at home, mixed with the hope that the call for a transplant will come in time. Kolton’s condition means he can never be left alone, as his oxygen levels drop dangerously low with any exertion. Caring for him is a full-time commitment, and every moment feels precious.

The emotional toll of this journey has been overwhelming. As parents, we are often consumed by the stress, trauma, and heartbreak of watching our child fight for his life. The helplessness we feel, knowing we cannot take away his pain, is beyond words. And yet, we cannot begin to imagine the physical and emotional burden Kolton carries every single day—facing his mortality while holding onto hope for a second chance at life. His courage in the face of this unimaginable reality inspires us, even as it breaks our hearts.

As his parents, we are determined to make the most of the time we have together. With his wheelchair and oxygen, we plan to take him out as he is able—to the grocery store, a favorite restaurant, or anywhere that brings him even a little joy. These small outings, though simple, are opportunities for him to experience life beyond the four walls of home or a hospital room.

The financial strain on our family during this time has been significant. Mom has had to stop working entirely to care for Kolton, and Dad has missed many days of work to be by his side. The generosity we’ve received through Kolton’s GoFundMe has been a lifeline, but the journey ahead remains long and costly.

Post-transplant care will require frequent trips to Vancouver General Hospital for follow-ups and rehabilitation, along with extensive medical expenses. The emotional toll of this process is overwhelming, and the financial burden only adds to the weight.

We are incredibly grateful for the love, prayers, and donations we’ve received so far. Your support has lifted us during our darkest moments and helped us focus on what truly matters: being there for Kolton.

As we navigate this difficult time, we ask for your continued support. Sharing Kolton’s story, keeping him in your prayers, and contributing to his GoFundMe make an immeasurable difference. Together, we can give Kolton the best possible care and the hope of a brighter future.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this journey.

With love,

Kolton, Casandra, and Joe

UPDATE as of Dec 28th

Update on Our Son’s Health and Gratitude for Your Support

I wanted to take a moment to share an update and express our overwhelming gratitude for the outpouring of support we’ve received during this incredibly challenging time.

As many of you know, our son was listed for a double lung transplant on December 23rd. Just days later, on December 26th, he collapsed due to complications from his rare lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans. It was a terrifying moment — our son nearly lost his life on the bathroom floor. But thanks to the quick actions of first responders, followed by immediate care in intensive care, we’re still here to tell his story. For that, we are forever grateful.

Today, he has been moved out of the ICU, but his condition remains fragile. Even simple tasks now cause a significant drop in his oxygen levels, even with supplemental oxygen. He will remain in the hospital for the time being as doctors work to keep him stable and run further tests. We are anxiously awaiting the call with a matching donor.

There are moments when it all feels surreal — walking aimlessly in a grocery store, consumed with shock, or lying in bed at night overwhelmed with sorrow. The reality of having a terminally ill child is something no parent should have to experience. Watching our 25-year-old son suffer in this way — and seeing him fight to maintain any sense of independence — is a heartbreak we never imagined. Balancing the role of mother/father, caregiver, and still trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in our relationship is a daily challenge.

But through all of this, we’ve felt an incredible sense of support. The donations to our GoFundMe, your kind words, and all the ways you've rallied around us have given us strength we didn’t know we had. This support is not just necessary; it is vital in helping us keep going. It has helped reduce the immense stress we’re navigating, allowing us to focus on what’s most important right now — our son’s health and his fight for a future.

While we’ve faced an unimaginable amount of hardship so far, we know this is only the beginning of a very long journey. The hardest is yet to come. The months and years ahead will involve not only the terrifying wait for a matching donor but also a long recovery process post-transplant. We are preparing for months, even years, of difficult adjustments, medical care, and healing. But through it all, we’re determined to face it with the strength we’ve found in each other, bolstered by the support we’ve received from all of you.

I don’t have the words to express how much this means to us, but please know we are deeply thankful for each and every one of you who has reached out in any way, whether financially, emotionally, or in prayer. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

With love and gratitude,

Kolton, Casandra and Joe

We are reaching out to family, friends, anyone that has had the pleasure of knowing kolton, crossing paths with him, watching him grow and continuously beat the odds against this horrible disease, for help.

Since diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans at the age of 1, this fight has been long. With its ups and downs, the constant unknowns and what if's, dozens of hospitalizations and surgeries Kolton always pushed through. Anyone that knows him can most likely recall his laugh, and positive mindset and attitude that he has maintained through it all, and the struggle, although we thought was hard before, has become much much worse.

Bronchiolitis obliterans is a progressive and terminal lung disease, often taking its victims after only a few years, but not Kolton! It's a disease that essentially deteriorates your airways to the point that they restrict, shrink and obliterate them completely. Although he is so so strong, and is a walking miracle and a testament to strength, even koltons time has come.

It is not easy for me to write the rest of this, but it's necessary for so many reasons. Firstly because we have learned that support increases strength, we are so very thankful for all of the thoughts, prayers and direct messages from those close to us, without that up to this point I don't know how we would cope. The old saying " it takes a village" has taken a new meaning to our family, we have come to a point of needing help in ways we have never needed it. I have been in school preparing for what was a January start for my nursing. I have been in health care for over two decades and expanding my education to be able to help others in a more profound way is something I have made a goal. I have postponed my January start for obvious reasons, my son is my number one priority. He has not been able to be left alone for quite some time and tonight was a testimony to why. We have

" instincts" as parents, and I'm glad I listened to mine. Tonight Dec 26th at 7:30 pm I heard " MOM" coming from the bathroom. I rushed to the door and tried to open it but it was locked, after some fumbling from behind the door i was able to open it, and what came next i would not wish on any parent. My son was pale, full of sweat, on his knees and trying to tell me he couldn't breathe. We turned his oxygen up and immediately called an ambulance. The rest is something I prefer not to explain, except to say that the ambulance and fire department were so fast, the 911 dispatch was so very kind and I believe without that response i would not even be writing this. Kolton was actively listed on monday december 23rd for a double lung transplant, for our family and Kolton the best Christmas present ever, but with his blood type as O and his height ( he's a little guy) he will wait far longer then most statistically. He has beat statistics his whole life and we pray that he will get a donor soon but we are not blind to the long road we have only just begun. I have not been able to return to work leaving all of the financial responsibilities to my husband. And after tonight, the reality has truly hit. Koltons disease has progressed, and rapidly, his time is limited. Even with a donor the road is long and uncertain. Post transplant is minimum 6 months of me being by his side. My husband has been working all the hours he can but now comes a time of needing to be a family unit. The heart break and emotions is something we wish on no one, tonight was a moment of reflection, of being terrified of loss, of seeing someone you love more then yourself so sick and on there last leg. Kolton was admitted and on high flow o2

( 50%) and still barely maintaining. He was admitted into the intensive care unit in abbotsford, and most likely tomorrow be transferred to Vancouver where the transplant team knows him best. Financially we are strained, my husband should be by Koltons side, and my side. We should be together, we have to be. The bills do not stop, even though it feels like our life has, our hearts have and our souls have. We smile for Kolton and try to remain calm and positive and the stress of finances is not something we ever discuss around him butit's a reality. Any help someone could give would be appreciated in ways I hope you never have to understand. It will allow us to be together in the most trying and scary time of Koltons life.

The process is long and I won't be returning to work anytime in the near future. I miss my job and wish I could be there but this is my priority right now, and my husband's priority.

Pride has long gone out the window and we just ask for support. The cost of loss wages, medical bills, parking costs at hospitals are the smaller worries. Rent, food, vehicles.. the stuff we always took for granted are something dividing love or necessity. Our family just needs a break and to be able to spend this precious time together.

Help Kolton in His Fight Against Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Still $14,377 to go. Help us build momentum.