As you all may know, Kamdyn was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia in May 2025. She has since gone into remission and has just started her maintenance chemo pills at home.
Tuesday (3/10/26), Kamdyn went to the outpatient clinic where she received platelets and blood. The doctors also advised she was neutropenic and took her out of school until her numbers improved.
Friday morning (3/13/26), Kamdyn woke with a fever and vomiting. Dakota quickly called the doctor and was told to bring her in. While preparing to leave for the hospital, Kamdyn collapsed and later had difficulty breathing. Kamdyn was rushed to Prisma Greenville Hospital by ambulance. While in the ER, Kamdyn’s heart rate was extremely high, her blood pressure was low, and she struggled to keep a good oxygen level.
After monitoring her, the doctors discovered she had an infection, and she is septic. They decided it would be best to intubate her to give her body a chance to rest. Soon after, she was admitted into the PICU. While in PICU, Kamdyn’s vitals were unstable, and the doctors decided it would be best to hook her up to an ECMO machine, which would circulate blood out of her body and back in. This would give her lungs a chance to rest while her body fights this infection.
Later, a decision was made to airlift her to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, SC, so she can be monitored closely, and the hospital is better equipped for Kamdyn’s situation. After arriving at MUSC early Saturday morning (3/14/26), the doctors hooked her up to a VA ECMO because her heart was not as strong as it should be. This would give her heart a chance to rest as well.
Saturday afternoon (3/14/26), Kamdyn was taken into the OR for an Atrial Septostomy. During this procedure, a hole is created in the heart's atrial septum to improve blood flow out of the heart. This was done because Kamdyn’s heart is not beating on its own (ECMO is doing 100% of the work), and the doctors were concerned that this would cause blood to pool up in her heart and into her lungs.
It has been determined that Kamdyn’s sepsis was caused by bacteria in the blood, and the bacteria was also found on her port. This may lead to the removal of her port if antibiotics don’t work. Kamdyn will remain connected to an ECMO and intubated for an estimated 30-40 days at the least. Then, depending on recovery, we could remain in the hospital for much longer.
Unfortunately, Dakota and I have limited PTO at our jobs and will be missing a lot of work during our stay in Charleston, which is about 3 hours from home. Unfortunately, bills will still be coming as well as other needs. We just ask if you can’t donate, please pray for our sweet girl. This has been absolutely devastating and something we could have never prepared ourselves for. Again, we appreciate all the kind words and prayers. God Bless.
