Help Light the Way for Kyler's Recovery

Families are rarely financially prepared for this kind of medical emergency, the kind that involves their child, and being a single mother of two boys I know I cannot do this alone.

I had my 12-years-old son Kyler in and out of New Mexico hospitals and emergency rooms countless times over the summer doing bloodwork, MRIs, CT’s, and we even tried a new counseling service. All the “Medical Professionals” found nothing wrong with him other than constipation, allergies, and depression. God then led us to Utah in a way that was completely out of the ordinary. I dropped Kyler off in Logan and drove the 8 hours back home to his brother in Aztec New Mexico, where I was home no more than 2 hours when I received a call from Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

My son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on Friday, September 13th, and immediately began intensive treatment to attack the cancer cells in his blood. A few days into treatment the doctors found leukemia hiding in his spinal cord, which resulted in two lumbar punctures weekly instead of one every other week. During this procedure, Kyler is put under anesthesia to inject chemotherapy directly into his back. My heart has never hurt so badly as when I heard my son screaming from down the hall, begging for the pain to go away. Each time I watch as a stranger puts a mask over his face and takes the life right out of him. I hold back all the emotions as my son looks to me for help until he closes his eyes... it never gets easier.

Kyler is also receiving hormone injections and two other kinds of chemotherapy via IV (the list of medication he is receiving would take up an entire paragraph). The most intense part of his treatment is the first 29 days which is called the induction phase. Kyler has gained 10 lbs so far during this period which is not because of his diet, but because his kidneys are no longer functioning properly and the doctors are pushing so much fluid into his little body that they cannot keep up. Kyler also receives two or more blood product transfusions daily which sometimes cause an allergic reaction.

There is a very tiny light at the end of this horrific tunnel but it is extremely far away.

As of now, the only viable option For Kyler‘s three-year cancer treatment after the induction phase is for us to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico. My confidence in New Mexico doctors has significantly decreased to say the least, and I will do everything in my power not to be forced to raise my teenage boys in Albuquerque.

We have been in Salt Lake City for over two weeks and would like to remain here but the bills have already begun to pile up. Medical expenses not covered by insurance, transportation, housing…the list goes on so my little family is in need of your help. I own my own small business and as you can imagine, if I’m not working there is no income. I will remain with my boy for the duration of treatment (which has already been extended once due to his decreased kidney function) but that will result in a devastating lack of resources once we return to New Mexico where my older teenage son is waiting for us. Your generosity will be appreciated beyond words and we will be forever grateful. If you aren’t able to help financially, please pray for my boy and share our campaign.

Thank you to all of you that have already reached out and shown your support. Kyler loves receiving cards and his little gifts in the mail here at the hospital. Your support—whether through donations, kind words, gifts, or prayers—means the world us. We will continue to keep you updated as Kyler moves forward with treatment and this new lifestyle that’s been thrown our way.