Kyryn's Journey to a New Heart
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Kyryn Cooper-Sanders is a loving wife, mother of four boys, and the best teacher ever. Kyryn has recently learned that she needs a heart transplant and will remain in the hospital away from her family until a heart becomes available.
Here is her health story from the beginning. Early into last school year(2019-2020), Kyryn was diagnosed with the flu and then pneumonia. Although she followed all treatment plans, she just didn't get well. She was referred to a pulmonologist, who then referred her to a cardiologist.
In March 2020 she had an echo cardiogram on her heart and learned that her EF level (ejection fraction) was 20-25% (normal is 65%). She was diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyopathy which means she didn't get sick from clogged arteries but that she caught a virus that caused significant damage to her heart. Her doctor was hopeful that through medication her heart would correct itself.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. On June 29, 2020 her EF level dropped down to 10%. Her doctor referred her to a another cardiologist, to perform a heart catheterization, which is a procedure used to diagnose certain heart conditions. She had the procedure on July 1, 2020 and her heart began responding to the medication! Kyryn thought she was on the mend.
However, the next morning her very inspired doctor came into her room and told her that he had spent all morning consulting his colleagues at the Mayo Clinic and they agreed the damage to her heart was too significant and she would need to be added to the transplant list to get a new heart. This was so shocking for Kyryn to hear as it was a complete 180 from what he had said the night before. Her doctor explained that the rate her heart was degenerating was scary and she was a "walking time bomb." He told her she wouldn't survive outside the hospital.
Thankfully, her doctor pulled some strings and worked really hard to get her into the best heart transplant hospital in the country, Cedar Sinai Heart Institute.
The next step was to fly to Cedar Sinai to get every type of testing and screening you can imagine. While there she learned that the testing wasn't to qualify her but to see how best to treat her. All of the tests determined that Kyryn will be added to the United Network Organ Sharing (UNOS) as a Category 3 on the transplant list. This means that she has more than hours or days to live but she still will need to stay at the hospital until she gets a new heart. Depending on availability of a heart and how fast her heart continues to degenerate, she may qualify to get a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD). We will update as we learn more.
Currently Kyryn's four little boys; Jackson age 11.5, Tyson age 9, Gibson age 8, and Greyson age 6 are staying in California with relatives. Her husband Jeff is working in Las Vegas and commuting to California to visit on his days off. Kyryn is only allowed one visitor per day and her children are not allowed to visit.
Mrs. Sanders is one of the best teachers in the world. She has been teaching for 23 years. She has been part of the Goynes Elementary School family since it opened in 2005. She has dedicated her life to teaching her students. One of her students said, "she makes learning fun and I felt safe and loved in her class." If you have ever been taught by or taught with Kyryn, you know how much she enjoys teaching and that she adores her students. Join us in showing Kyryn how much we love and appreciate her and the impact she has had in our children's lives. Please consider donating, any amount is appreciated.
This GoFundMe will help Kyryn and her family pay for medical expenses, traveling expenses for Jeff to travel between Las Vegas (for work) and California (where Kyryn is hospitalized), and the daily expenses of raising four young boys while their mother is waiting for her new heart in another state.
We love the Sanders Family! We know you love them as well. We understand that these are hard times for many, if you are unable to contribute financially, please spread the word and share her story.
Sincerely,
The Fundraising Team
Nicole Zobrist -Kyryn has taught two of my five boys, so far. Jeff was my oldest son's soccer coach and our boys are all friends. Through all of these interactions, Kyryn has become a dear friend.
Deidra Ramirez-I’ve known Kyryn for over 10 years. She taught both of my boys in elementary and for the past year have gotten the privilege of calling her a wonderful coworker and friend.
Here is her health story from the beginning. Early into last school year(2019-2020), Kyryn was diagnosed with the flu and then pneumonia. Although she followed all treatment plans, she just didn't get well. She was referred to a pulmonologist, who then referred her to a cardiologist.
In March 2020 she had an echo cardiogram on her heart and learned that her EF level (ejection fraction) was 20-25% (normal is 65%). She was diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyopathy which means she didn't get sick from clogged arteries but that she caught a virus that caused significant damage to her heart. Her doctor was hopeful that through medication her heart would correct itself.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. On June 29, 2020 her EF level dropped down to 10%. Her doctor referred her to a another cardiologist, to perform a heart catheterization, which is a procedure used to diagnose certain heart conditions. She had the procedure on July 1, 2020 and her heart began responding to the medication! Kyryn thought she was on the mend.
However, the next morning her very inspired doctor came into her room and told her that he had spent all morning consulting his colleagues at the Mayo Clinic and they agreed the damage to her heart was too significant and she would need to be added to the transplant list to get a new heart. This was so shocking for Kyryn to hear as it was a complete 180 from what he had said the night before. Her doctor explained that the rate her heart was degenerating was scary and she was a "walking time bomb." He told her she wouldn't survive outside the hospital.
Thankfully, her doctor pulled some strings and worked really hard to get her into the best heart transplant hospital in the country, Cedar Sinai Heart Institute.
The next step was to fly to Cedar Sinai to get every type of testing and screening you can imagine. While there she learned that the testing wasn't to qualify her but to see how best to treat her. All of the tests determined that Kyryn will be added to the United Network Organ Sharing (UNOS) as a Category 3 on the transplant list. This means that she has more than hours or days to live but she still will need to stay at the hospital until she gets a new heart. Depending on availability of a heart and how fast her heart continues to degenerate, she may qualify to get a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD). We will update as we learn more.
Currently Kyryn's four little boys; Jackson age 11.5, Tyson age 9, Gibson age 8, and Greyson age 6 are staying in California with relatives. Her husband Jeff is working in Las Vegas and commuting to California to visit on his days off. Kyryn is only allowed one visitor per day and her children are not allowed to visit.
Mrs. Sanders is one of the best teachers in the world. She has been teaching for 23 years. She has been part of the Goynes Elementary School family since it opened in 2005. She has dedicated her life to teaching her students. One of her students said, "she makes learning fun and I felt safe and loved in her class." If you have ever been taught by or taught with Kyryn, you know how much she enjoys teaching and that she adores her students. Join us in showing Kyryn how much we love and appreciate her and the impact she has had in our children's lives. Please consider donating, any amount is appreciated.
This GoFundMe will help Kyryn and her family pay for medical expenses, traveling expenses for Jeff to travel between Las Vegas (for work) and California (where Kyryn is hospitalized), and the daily expenses of raising four young boys while their mother is waiting for her new heart in another state.
We love the Sanders Family! We know you love them as well. We understand that these are hard times for many, if you are unable to contribute financially, please spread the word and share her story.
Sincerely,
The Fundraising Team
Nicole Zobrist -Kyryn has taught two of my five boys, so far. Jeff was my oldest son's soccer coach and our boys are all friends. Through all of these interactions, Kyryn has become a dear friend.
Deidra Ramirez-I’ve known Kyryn for over 10 years. She taught both of my boys in elementary and for the past year have gotten the privilege of calling her a wonderful coworker and friend.
Fundraising team (3)
Nicole Zobrist
Organizer
Las Vegas, NV
Kyryn Sanders
Beneficiary
Deidra Ramirez
Team member
Melissa Rea
Team member
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