Kaiah's Brain Cancer Assistance
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***Kaiah’s Journey***
This is Kaiah, our precious 6-year-old daughter. 2-1/2 years ago, when Kaiah was just 4, she was diagnosed with an inoperable, rare brain tumor.
In the 2-1/2 years since Kaiah’s brain cancer diagnosis, she has endured countless blood transfusions, hospital visits, doctors appointments, pokeys, and over 50 rounds of chemotherapy. The size and location and this rare tumor impacts her heart rate, blood pressure, hormones, and oxygen levels. It causes her to have seizures, which are not controlled by medication. Her seizures can last anywhere from 2 minutes to over an hour. The seizures and tumor location have also adversely affected Kaiah’s physical ability, personality and behavior. Because her reaction is so severe and her physical aggression has become dangerous, she has to be restrained by multiple people to receive treatments. At home, we’ve developed a code word to alert Kaiah’s five brothers and sisters to sequester themselves upstairs until it’s safe.
Our family has spent holidays in the hospital, we’ve decorated I.V. poles for birthdays, and we’ve stayed awake throughout many nights at home when medical equipment alarms continue to go off.
We are struggling through this journey. We are heartbroken and completely overwhelmed. Through sadness and tears, we’ve done our best to remain strong. But we are hopeful! We remain faithful to God because, even as we walk through childhood cancer with our 6 year old, we can see how good God has been to our family. As difficult as each day becomes, we are thankful for every new day the Lord gives us!
So where do we go from here? Why are we choosing to share our story this way now?
For those of you who know our family, you know this tiny glimpse of our story is not just about our sweet Kaiah. We have five other children—all of them with autism or other special needs. My husband, Stephen, is a disabled veteran and our family is living solely on his 100% military disability compensation pay.
The devastating reality of our situation is this: Our treatment options for Kaiah are extremely limited here in Phoenix and we’ve exhausted all of our financial resources. Kaiah’s oncology team might soon suggest we stop treatment, and her neurologist is unsure how to proceed. Yet, we still continue to trust God with what’s next for us and with what’s best for Kaiah.
We now have an incredible opportunity for Kaiah to be seen at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia by specialists there who have experience treating this rare type of cancer. We desperately hope for this second opinion, and are humbly asking for your prayers and financial support.
Our goal of $75,000 is to help cover the immediate costs not covered by insurance that are necessary for travel and treatment. The costs include airfare, lodging, and food for Kaiah, her caregiver and myself. It would also provide an FAA approved portable oxygen concentrator Kaiah will need for the flight and trip, a 6-month supply of medications, as well as a seizure alert dog that will enable us to respond quickly to Kaiah’s seizures, helping us avoid further permanent brain damage.
Through it all, we will continue to trust God and praise Him though this storm! We are grateful for all the prayers and support of our family and friends. The Kovach Family
Stephen, Jasmine, and our children, Ziggy, Indica, Zach, Cassidy, Kaiah, and Noah.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2
This is Kaiah, our precious 6-year-old daughter. 2-1/2 years ago, when Kaiah was just 4, she was diagnosed with an inoperable, rare brain tumor.
In the 2-1/2 years since Kaiah’s brain cancer diagnosis, she has endured countless blood transfusions, hospital visits, doctors appointments, pokeys, and over 50 rounds of chemotherapy. The size and location and this rare tumor impacts her heart rate, blood pressure, hormones, and oxygen levels. It causes her to have seizures, which are not controlled by medication. Her seizures can last anywhere from 2 minutes to over an hour. The seizures and tumor location have also adversely affected Kaiah’s physical ability, personality and behavior. Because her reaction is so severe and her physical aggression has become dangerous, she has to be restrained by multiple people to receive treatments. At home, we’ve developed a code word to alert Kaiah’s five brothers and sisters to sequester themselves upstairs until it’s safe.
Our family has spent holidays in the hospital, we’ve decorated I.V. poles for birthdays, and we’ve stayed awake throughout many nights at home when medical equipment alarms continue to go off.
We are struggling through this journey. We are heartbroken and completely overwhelmed. Through sadness and tears, we’ve done our best to remain strong. But we are hopeful! We remain faithful to God because, even as we walk through childhood cancer with our 6 year old, we can see how good God has been to our family. As difficult as each day becomes, we are thankful for every new day the Lord gives us!
So where do we go from here? Why are we choosing to share our story this way now?
For those of you who know our family, you know this tiny glimpse of our story is not just about our sweet Kaiah. We have five other children—all of them with autism or other special needs. My husband, Stephen, is a disabled veteran and our family is living solely on his 100% military disability compensation pay.
The devastating reality of our situation is this: Our treatment options for Kaiah are extremely limited here in Phoenix and we’ve exhausted all of our financial resources. Kaiah’s oncology team might soon suggest we stop treatment, and her neurologist is unsure how to proceed. Yet, we still continue to trust God with what’s next for us and with what’s best for Kaiah.
We now have an incredible opportunity for Kaiah to be seen at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia by specialists there who have experience treating this rare type of cancer. We desperately hope for this second opinion, and are humbly asking for your prayers and financial support.
Our goal of $75,000 is to help cover the immediate costs not covered by insurance that are necessary for travel and treatment. The costs include airfare, lodging, and food for Kaiah, her caregiver and myself. It would also provide an FAA approved portable oxygen concentrator Kaiah will need for the flight and trip, a 6-month supply of medications, as well as a seizure alert dog that will enable us to respond quickly to Kaiah’s seizures, helping us avoid further permanent brain damage.
Through it all, we will continue to trust God and praise Him though this storm! We are grateful for all the prayers and support of our family and friends. The Kovach Family
Stephen, Jasmine, and our children, Ziggy, Indica, Zach, Cassidy, Kaiah, and Noah.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2
Organizer
Jasmine Kovach
Organizer
Buckeye, AZ
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