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The key to grasping your reader’s attention is a great, interesting opening that leaves the reader yearning for more. I was having a hard time coming up with something to segue into Kenzie’s current battle, but then I realized I should just let her story speak for itself. Let me give you a little backstory on the toughest person to ever grace God’s green earth.
Makenzie Harper Perkins was born at only 28 weeks and weighed a whopping 1lb 13oz. Although we didn’t know Kenzie well yet and she was about the size of a can of Puffs (her eventual favorite snack), we all knew she had a heart the size of the moon. Every human in this world is born with some distinctive trait that makes you, well, you. Kenzie was blessed with the courage, the fight, and the will to fight through every obstacle that has been thrown at her. She was also blessed with some beautiful eyes, but I don’t need to tell you that.
Kenzie has had a plethora of complications since birth. I would go into them, but Kenzie wouldn’t want me bothering you guys with all that “chump” stuff. She conquered all those issues and she’s ready to move on. She’s ready to run, play, and take on the challenges of the world. Although Kenzie is the biggest fighter I know, and she probably doesn’t want to bother us, she needs our help this time. Sometimes the fight gets too big for us grownups, much less a beautiful little girl that’s been fighting her whole life. Sometimes we need our friends and family to help pull us through tough times.
Now for the tough part. It’s hard to read. It’s harder for me to write. Let’s talk about Kenzie’s new obstacle and how we got there.
Kenzie was having one of her usual fun childhood days. She had a little playgroup action and then a trip to the dentist (no big deal for Kenzie). Kenzie was extra good at the dentist this time around, so why not have a little Mickey D’s for celebration? Now, it’s pretty common knowledge that the Perkins family are a bunch of professional poopers. Well, let me tell you, Kenzie is getting to MVP status pooper. Kenzie informed her mommy that she had to poop and she did. She then announced to McDonald’s that she had in fact “pooped in the potty!” Naturally, every good poop deserves an award so they made a trip to Rite Aid. Kenzie needed to go again…and again…and again. This is when things went south.
Kenzie was suddenly sick and screaming like she never has. It became very apparent that something very wrong had happened and Kenzie was rushed to the ER. After writhing in pain and receiving x-rays resulting in nothing, a concerned tech came to check her vitals and realized that something was very, very wrong. The hospital staff began performing numerous tests, examinations, and did their best to control her oxygen levels. As they attempted to get her to a CAT scan, her oxygen level dropped like a rock. Kenzie coded.
The staff performed CPR on Kenzie, kept her alive, and took her to the PICU. Kenzie was given a 5% chance to make it through the first 24 hours. Remember when I was talking about how tough Kenzie is? A 5% chance of survival is more like 105% chance for her. Kenzie needed exploratory surgery to determine the cause. Although a known gigantic risk, surgery was the only way to save her life. By some crazy turn of events (I’ll let you ponder this), the exact same surgeon that had operated on Kenzie many moons ago would be the one to “just happen” to be at the hospital that night. Kenzie pulled through like a champ, but the doctor informed Eric and Nicole that Kenzie’s colon had herniated on itself and some of her bowel had died. Sometime later, the doctor performed another surgery to make sure everything looked okay from the previous surgery. Unfortunately and devastatingly, most of Kenzie’s small bowel had died. Although she was alive and finally stable, it became very clear that this was just the beginning of a long road for poor little Kenzie.
Kenzie is currently in Vanderbilt Hospital fighting for her life. She recently had surgery to irrigate her belly and everything has been successful so far. Kenzie is doing her best to prove to the doctors that she is big, strong girl. Kenzie’s life will likely change forever due to this unfortunate event. The future is very uncertain at this point. She could potentially have a bowel transplant, an ostomy, IVs for nutrition, and/or many other things to deal with in her life.
This is the part where you can help Kenzie. Eric and Nicole are doing all they can to be there in person for Kenzie. Naturally, they don’t want to ask for help from outside sources other than thoughts and prayers. I’m here to ask you on behalf of my niece, my brother, and my sister-in-law’s well-being that you consider donating a small sum to help them through this struggle. General hospital fees, surgeries, med flight, travel, food, future surgeries, and all sorts of expenses are bearing down on them. The end is nowhere in sight.
We understand if you are not able to donate. If you are unable to donate, please help Kenzie by sharing this page. Every little penny, thought, prayer, and share makes a difference in bringing Kenzie back to that world she so desperately wants to see again.
Thank you for reading Kenzie’s story, and I will be providing updates as soon as Eric and Nicole feel comfortable.
God bless.
Makenzie Harper Perkins was born at only 28 weeks and weighed a whopping 1lb 13oz. Although we didn’t know Kenzie well yet and she was about the size of a can of Puffs (her eventual favorite snack), we all knew she had a heart the size of the moon. Every human in this world is born with some distinctive trait that makes you, well, you. Kenzie was blessed with the courage, the fight, and the will to fight through every obstacle that has been thrown at her. She was also blessed with some beautiful eyes, but I don’t need to tell you that.
Kenzie has had a plethora of complications since birth. I would go into them, but Kenzie wouldn’t want me bothering you guys with all that “chump” stuff. She conquered all those issues and she’s ready to move on. She’s ready to run, play, and take on the challenges of the world. Although Kenzie is the biggest fighter I know, and she probably doesn’t want to bother us, she needs our help this time. Sometimes the fight gets too big for us grownups, much less a beautiful little girl that’s been fighting her whole life. Sometimes we need our friends and family to help pull us through tough times.
Now for the tough part. It’s hard to read. It’s harder for me to write. Let’s talk about Kenzie’s new obstacle and how we got there.
Kenzie was having one of her usual fun childhood days. She had a little playgroup action and then a trip to the dentist (no big deal for Kenzie). Kenzie was extra good at the dentist this time around, so why not have a little Mickey D’s for celebration? Now, it’s pretty common knowledge that the Perkins family are a bunch of professional poopers. Well, let me tell you, Kenzie is getting to MVP status pooper. Kenzie informed her mommy that she had to poop and she did. She then announced to McDonald’s that she had in fact “pooped in the potty!” Naturally, every good poop deserves an award so they made a trip to Rite Aid. Kenzie needed to go again…and again…and again. This is when things went south.
Kenzie was suddenly sick and screaming like she never has. It became very apparent that something very wrong had happened and Kenzie was rushed to the ER. After writhing in pain and receiving x-rays resulting in nothing, a concerned tech came to check her vitals and realized that something was very, very wrong. The hospital staff began performing numerous tests, examinations, and did their best to control her oxygen levels. As they attempted to get her to a CAT scan, her oxygen level dropped like a rock. Kenzie coded.
The staff performed CPR on Kenzie, kept her alive, and took her to the PICU. Kenzie was given a 5% chance to make it through the first 24 hours. Remember when I was talking about how tough Kenzie is? A 5% chance of survival is more like 105% chance for her. Kenzie needed exploratory surgery to determine the cause. Although a known gigantic risk, surgery was the only way to save her life. By some crazy turn of events (I’ll let you ponder this), the exact same surgeon that had operated on Kenzie many moons ago would be the one to “just happen” to be at the hospital that night. Kenzie pulled through like a champ, but the doctor informed Eric and Nicole that Kenzie’s colon had herniated on itself and some of her bowel had died. Sometime later, the doctor performed another surgery to make sure everything looked okay from the previous surgery. Unfortunately and devastatingly, most of Kenzie’s small bowel had died. Although she was alive and finally stable, it became very clear that this was just the beginning of a long road for poor little Kenzie.
Kenzie is currently in Vanderbilt Hospital fighting for her life. She recently had surgery to irrigate her belly and everything has been successful so far. Kenzie is doing her best to prove to the doctors that she is big, strong girl. Kenzie’s life will likely change forever due to this unfortunate event. The future is very uncertain at this point. She could potentially have a bowel transplant, an ostomy, IVs for nutrition, and/or many other things to deal with in her life.
This is the part where you can help Kenzie. Eric and Nicole are doing all they can to be there in person for Kenzie. Naturally, they don’t want to ask for help from outside sources other than thoughts and prayers. I’m here to ask you on behalf of my niece, my brother, and my sister-in-law’s well-being that you consider donating a small sum to help them through this struggle. General hospital fees, surgeries, med flight, travel, food, future surgeries, and all sorts of expenses are bearing down on them. The end is nowhere in sight.
We understand if you are not able to donate. If you are unable to donate, please help Kenzie by sharing this page. Every little penny, thought, prayer, and share makes a difference in bringing Kenzie back to that world she so desperately wants to see again.
Thank you for reading Kenzie’s story, and I will be providing updates as soon as Eric and Nicole feel comfortable.
God bless.
Organizer and beneficiary
Eric Perkins
Beneficiary