Kylie White Cancer Fundraiser
Kylie has been recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Please consider helping Kylie, Erik and their two beautiful twin boys, as she faces treatment as well as extreme financial hardship. Kylie's insurance will only cover part of the needed medical care. Additionally Erik has to take time away from work to help Kylie through this incredibly difficult and painful process.
PLEASE READ KYLIE'S STORY:
"Growing up in Chesterton was like a childhood every kid would want. Despite being surrounded by cornfields, it was homey. The neighbors were very welcoming and had kids that were my sibling’s and I’s age. I lived in a little neighborhood where we were out from sunrise until the streetlights turned on, on occasion we would have hide ‘n seek in the dark.
I met Erik one night at a bonfire. We went to the same school—he was a year above me and we had mutual friends. He started the conversation and of course it was about my Chapstick. At the time, sharing Chapstick was still okay! I made sure to let him know to that and that he had better give it back to me. As days went on, I realized he still had my Chapstick… I messaged him and asked for it back. No reply. A few more days went by and I asked again. No reply. I eventually gave up, but if you ask him, he will tell a different story. Years later, I got a message saying "yeah, I still have it," out of the blue. Erik and I had our fun. We spent every second we could together. He almost lost his job for spending more time with me than at work. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was life telling me to slow down and enjoy the little things. I was moving so fast that I forgot to step back and look at how fast I was growing and how fast it was ending. At our first doctor’s appointment, I was scared out of my mind, not knowing what to expect. The doctor tells us, "well by law, I have to let you know if it is one or more. And well, its twins!" You can guess the expression on my face.
Who knew that being a mom was what I was born to be? I love my boys and I love the people they have not only become but the person they have made me. Some of my family felt badly that I had decided to become a mom at 22. They wished I had experienced more in my life and traveled more, but they had no idea what my future was to hold. So many firsts were happening every day that never would have happened if I hadn’t had them. Taking my boys on their first hike in the woods and trails that I grew up in a played as a child. Taking them on their first canoe ride like my family had taken me. We adventure and enjoy the little things more than I ever had. And we get to do it together. Children really put your life into perspective. It’s beautiful. From climbing the tallest mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, to playing in the creeks at the state parks. My boys are only 3 years old and we have only just begun.
In September 2020, my symptoms begun. It started with severe back pain, night sweats, and uncontrollable itching. I saw doctors several times, and they ordered tests, and prescribed me pain medications and antibiotics. “You are fine. Health as a horse.” One night while lying in bed, I felt a lump as hard as a marble under the skin on my neck. I took matters into my own hands and visited an ENT. He also ordered tests and believed I was fine. More lumps appeared and the ENT finally performed an ultrasound. He sat me down, telling me he believed it was cancer. He referred me to an oncologist, and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The cancer is taking over my spine and is spread throughout my chest, making it very difficult to breathe. I am currently on my second chemotherapy treatment. It is hard and painful. I don’t know how things are going to end up. I don’t know if chemotherapy is working. All I know is that I have to be strong now, not only for my family but for myself. Now is the time that I need to do this for me and make sure I stop pushing myself. I will take that extra nap or break because my body needs me to fight like hell and kick this cancer’s ass. One thing I need to remind myself is to let people in. I can’t try to handle all of this on my own. I have such a big support group and so many people willing and wanting to help. I can cry with them. This is all new and scary but it’s going to be okay."
KYLIE HAS A BEAUTIFUL ATTITUDE AND STRENGTH. PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.
The medical bills are accumulating. Kylie and Erik need your help now!!!
THANK YOU!!!! Happy New Year!