Baker Family Medical Expenses

​We are the family of Stacy, Kyle, Ava and Sophie Baker. Stacy will be going through an extensive medical treatment, in Dallas, for her RA (rheumatoid arthritis), MS (multiple sclerosis), and Primary Immune Defiency Disorder, starting in January. Stacy was first diagnosed with RA in 2003, when she began experiencing severe swelling in her knees, fingers, and wrists; as well as terrible pain in her back and joints. Around this same time she also experienced three months of complete numbness on her entire left side of her body (her doctors now know that was also her first MS exacerbation). In March 2012, she was diagnosed with MS, after losing sight in her left eye. At this time, she had to go off of her RA medications due to side effects that could occur having both diseases, and would make her MS progress more rapidly. She also had to quit her job, due to her vision loss and her RA symptoms being out of control. With further testing, they found that Stacy also tested positive for JC Virus. Due to the virus, taking certain medications (which turned out to be the majority of MS medications that were available) could cause PML, a deadly brain disease. Stacy was also diagnosed with Primary Immune Deficiency which causes her immune system to drop so low that she has to get IVIG infusions every three weeks to try to boost her immune system.

At this time, her doctors in Overland Park and her specialists in Dallas, feel that the best option to treat her is Hi-Cy chemo treatments. The goal of this treatment is to kill her entire immune system and regenerate a new one so that the RA, MS, and Immune Deficiency will either go into remission or future flare ups will be shorter in duration and not as hard on her body. The chemo is the same chemo they use with bone marrow transplant patients, except she will not receive the bone marrow transplant.

Stacy, Kyle, and Stacy’s dad, Bill, will be traveling to Dallas in January for Stacy to be admitted into the hospital for 5 days of chemotherapy. Ava and Sophie will stay in KC with Kyle’s parents so they can continue with school and activities. Once she is dismissed out of the hospital, she will stay in Dallas for 3 weeks to 2 months (possibly longer) until her immune system is strong enough for her to go home to KC. While in Dallas, she will go to the hospital 3 days a week, or up to daily, for labs and shots to help boost her new immune system. Once she is able to go home, she will be limited to her home, due to her poor immune system. She will have to wear a mask around anyone who enters their home, even Sophie, Ava and Kyle. She will not be able to go into public for 3-4 months after the procedure and will hopefully be able to start feeling back to her “before diagnosis” self and start regaining her energy after 6-7 months.

During the treatments, Kyle will be traveling back and forth between Dallas and KC for their girls and his job. During his time in Dallas, and once Stacy returns home, he will be able to use some of his limited paid vacation, but will also have many days without pay. There will be rental car expenses, food, lodging, and medical expenses. This will put a strain on their already tight budget. We are hoping to raise money to help with these expenses to ease some of the stress that comes along with the medical procedures and travel due to seperation of the family during the process.

We are asking for prayers for Stacy, Kyle, the girls and both sets of parents as they go through this difficult time. We are also asking those of you who feel led to donate to help Kyle and Stacy with their expenses during this treatment, to please donate here. Your support will be greatly appreciated by Kyle and Stacy and their entire family.