2024 Wyatt’s journey-life is a blessing

December 31, 2024

Wyatt’s medical journey update. The Leggette family is very appreciative for all the love, prayers and support they received in 2024. Click here for a video of his journey. https://www.facebook.com/jonnel?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.facebook.com/jonnel?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Summertime Update: June 27th, 2024. It was Memorial Day weekend when Wyatt Leggette finally returned home with his family to Mammoth Lakes, California. Here it is 31 days later, and he is thriving (even in the higher elevation) in his hometown of the beautiful Eastern Sierras. Thank you again to everyone that followed and supported Wyatt throughout these past 6 months. We are forever grateful. (Charles, Jonnel, Logan Lu and Wyatt)

Wyatt Leggette’s Medical Journey Update Day 139 (May 16th, 2024):

Wyatt arrived in Reno, Nevada from Salt Lake City Utah with his parents on April 29th. Since returning to Reno, WL has had many outpatient appointments at Renown Children’s Hospital where he has been closely monitored for his medical progress. Wyatt’s latest doctor visits have been positive with good news. Traveling back home to Mammoth Lakes, California is a goal that can be accomplished as long as he continues his ongoing care at Mammoth Hospital. (The communication with the pediatric doctors in Mammoth has been phenomenal) The Leggette family will update Wyatt Leggette’s homecoming with his “Checkered Flag” back to the 93546 when the “Green Light” flashes to GO BACK HOME! Wyatt and his family can’t wait for that day to come!

The Leggette family would like to thank you again for everyone’s continued love, prayers, and support during this 2024 5-month (almost 6-month) medical journey with their 13-year-old son. Charles and Jonnel would also like to thank all the medical nurses, staff, and doctors across all three states who worked together to help save Wyatt Leggette's life.

(Wyatt was life-flighted from his hometown of Mammoth Lakes, California, to Reno, Nevada on Dec. 30th, 2023. On February 29th, Leap Day, he was then life-flighted again but from Reno, Nevada, to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a 50% survival rate).

Wyatt Leggette’s Medical Journey Update Day 119 (April 26th, 2024): Wyatt was discharged from Primary Children’s Hospital in late March with specific outpatient medical needs in his continuous “Road to Recovery.” What was not made clear to his parents was the challenging medical journey and how tough it would be to return to Mammoth with the specific pediatric medical equipment he needed to thrive and continue to heal. They have had to communicate with three hospitals and three states.

As a current outpatient from a pediatric hospital in Utah (not qualifying for a medical flight back to Reno as he is not inpatient), Wyatt's “Road Back Home” has been the most complicated sequence of events that has placed a heavy “Roadblock” on the family. Wyatt’s parents are persevering. They continue to receive guidance from medical professionals from all three states, and a solution has finally been resolved.

On this coming Monday, April 29th, 2024, after being in the state of Utah for 61 days, the Leggette family received the “Green Light” to travel back to Reno, Nevada. They were finally able to “rent” the medical equipment specific to his needs. WL will continue outpatient care in Reno, as his healing will take more time and patience. That “Checkered Flag” back home to Mammoth Lakes is on the horizon!

Charles and Jonnel continue to be thankful for all the prayers and financial support throughout this 2024 medical journey with their son. We are all grateful that 13-year-old Wyatt overcame that 50% survival rate when he arrived in Utah back on Leap Day. WL can’t wait to be back home. He is looking forward to being back with friends, watching the excitement of the Mammoth Motocross, participating in the town’s annual 4th of July parade with his collection of RC cars, and turning 14 this summer! “Freeski Wyatt” is a true warrior and a miracle!

March 8th, 2024 Wyatt Leggette Update: It has been a “MIRACLE MARCH” for Wyatt Leggette this past week on his “Road to Recovery.” On a health journey that began 70 days ago, 13-year-old Wyatt continues to prove how tough and resilient children born and raised in Mammoth Lakes, California, can be. What was not mentioned earlier by the parents was why their son was sent from Reno, Nevada, to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Leap Day, 2024. (He is at Primary Children's Hospital)

Wyatt Leggette’s lungs had failed from severe medical complications as his body began to shut down at 3 am that morning. WL needed a hospital that has a specialized medical team and life support system called the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) bypass machine. This was his last hope, but again, Wyatt Leggette proved his fight to live was real, as the ECMO was NOT needed to save his life.

Here are some of the “MIRACLES” that everyone witnessed here in Utah while Wyatt was intubated and recently, extubated:

After assessment from the medical staff and his assigned intensivist doctor (his attending physician) in the PICU unit on day one, WL was sent to an airborne isolation room.

On day three, WL was given a bronchoscopy (he also received one at Renown back in January)

The bronchoscopy was a success, and WL’s lungs look much better than how they looked when he arrived.

WL begins to be alert while intubated and asks for LEGOS and his cell phone for communication via texting. The nurses find him a writing tablet and he lets us know his pain, his feelings, and if the music is too loud in his isolation room. He begins to watch YouTube videos on his cell phone. (Cooking channels, videos about cats, and videos that lift his spirits in a positive direction)

Cultures come back from his lungs and his Infectious Disease doctors now know what they are treating specifically. (Not contagious, not airborne, and treatable with medication)

His pulmonary doctors are monitoring and treating the blood clots that formed in his lungs while in Renown and they do not see new clots forming. (Thankfully)

WL’s isolation room restrictions are lifted, and an Intermountain therapy dog comes to visit to make sure such a milestone is special for Wyatt. (Tears are shared by all watching)

WL gets moved to a new room on the PICU floor as nurses are surprised to see an “alert” intubated teenage patient. (His parents talk about what he has overcome, and how proud they are of their son)

WL is EXTUBATED on March 7th. He talks right away with a comment about a loud roommate (neighboring patient) begging the nurses for “Mac and Cheese” all night long. He said he couldn’t sleep! (His nurses and parents laugh with tears of joy)

On day nine, his speech therapist arrives. WL is cleared to swallow, eat, and talk. Wyatt is very excited to eat but he requests that his first meal not be “Mac and Cheese!”

Wyatt Leggette’s parents would like to say thank you and share their gratitude for the continued support during WL’s medical journey since December 30th, 2023. The power of prayer, love, and support for their boy has been a true blessing. Wyatt’s parents would also like to thank his ATTENDING PHYSICIAN who met him on day one and made the decision (with his medical team) to not use the ECMO life-support bypass machine. We will forever be grateful as you all saved "Freeski Wyatt's" life. His "Road to Recovery" will continue here in SLC, Utah.

March 1st, 2024. Wyatt Leggette Update: The Leggette family is truly in need of continued support and prayers. Their boy, Wyatt Leggette, born and raised in Mammoth Lakes, California, has experienced a severe rapid decline in his “Road to Recovery.” On a health journey that began on December 30th, 2023, WL was life-flighted again, but this time from Reno, Nevada, to Salt Lake City, Utah. He is currently intubated in the PICU at the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. The Leggette family is devastated, but they know their son well as he is a FIGHTER!!! Both Chas and Jonnel are at Wyatt’s bedside in SLC.

Thank you for your consideration of continued support for the Leggette family of Mammoth Lakes, California.

About the Leggette Family:

“Chas” is a very well-respected Diesel/Snowcat mechanic for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area where he helps behind the scenes in a garage to ensure the fleet of PistenBully snowcats (in addition to other snow placement machines) are maintained and operational for daily use. Jonnel “Mrs. Leggette” is a fabulous and well-loved teacher and ASB advisor at Mammoth Middle School. In addition to being a school teacher, Jonnel is also a server and grill chef at the Mogul restaurant. Their children, Logan Lu and Wyatt are the bees’ knees to speak; they are just awesome mountain kids!

Day 50 Update (February 17th, 2024):

13-year-old Wyatt Leggette from Mammoth Lakes, California, is still under critical medical care residing in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Renown’s Children's Hospital in Reno, Nevada.

Wyatt recently had his 5th surgery in the hospital as he not only has suffered complications from his Appendectomy surgery on Day 9, but he now has developed a separate medical condition that has to do with his compromised right lung from a pulmonary embolism from Day 11. Everyone thought he won the race in January to heal his pneumonia, but a bacterial infection has developed. Thankfully, the infection is treatable with antibiotics. Wyatt is a warrior!!!

The Leggette family has felt very blessed with the organizations that have been keeping Wyatt’s spirits positive throughout this incredible life-changing journey for such a young boy. Just yesterday, February 16th, the Reno/Tahoe chapter of “Once Upon a Room” visited Wyatt’s PICU floor as a surprise when he was outside strolling around with his father, Charles. When they arrived back, his hospital room was decorated in his favorite color of blue with banners, blue bedding, a basketball hoop, and an embroidered pillow with his name on it. In addition, a new RC car and fun games arrived on his bedside to help motivate Wyatt to see that there is a CHECKERED FLAG of healing, health, family, and friends awaiting his arrival back home soon to Mammoth Lakes, California.

Here are the links to the organizations that continue to bring the biggest smile to 8th grader Wyatt Leggette during these difficult times residing in a hospital for over 2 months:

Reno/Tahoe — Once Upon a Room

Day 39 Update (2-6-2024): After being discharged on day 32 and residing in a temporary home with Charles (Chas) in Reno, Nevada, Wyatt unfortunately had to return to the Renown Children’s Hospital with internal complications from the surgery he endured to fix a ruptured appendix on January 7th. Chas was diligent in recognizing the warning signs and listening to Wyatt’s medical needs immediately. By 11:30 pm Sunday, only 5 days out of the hospital, WL entered the emergency room where his condition sent him back up to the 5th floor, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. “Freeski Wyatt” is now on Day 27 in the ICU. Please keep Wyatt in your thoughts and prayers as this is another “Bump in the Road” for this young 13-year-old boy from Mammoth Lakes, California.

(Note: It was a very difficult decision, but Wyatt’s parents had to choose to “Divide and Conquer” as a family unit during these trying times. Jonnel recently returned home to Mammoth to be with their 15-year-old daughter, Logan, Wyatt’s sister)

Day 34 Update: (2-1-2024) 13-year-old Wyatt Leggette was finally discharged from Renown Children’s Hospital after 32 days total (25 days in the ICU and 7 days in the Sierra Tower). He is still on the ROAD to RECOVERY as he will be staying locally in Reno to receive a variety of outpatient services tending to the many complications that he endured in January. Here is a summary of how brave and strong WL is, and some of the specifics of what he is continuing to overcome and heal from. Your thoughts and prayers have been heard as he is alive! Thank you so much.

(Wyatt Leggette was admitted on 12/30/2023 and discharged on 1/30/2024)

Acute Kidney Injury in Mammoth Lakes, CA which sent him on a life flight to Renown.

Testing positive for Influenza A on his second day in ICU

Pulmonary heart complications after a routine CAT scan (The Rapid Response Team was called)

Pneumonia in the lungs by day 4

A ruptured appendicitis was discovered on day 9 after his feeding tube did not work correctly. He went into an emergency surgery to fix a hole in his stomach or one in either his small or large intestines. (No hole was found. What the surgeons found was a ruptured appendix that needed immediate attention to save his life)

Pulmonary embolism of the right lung by day 11

Intubation by day 12

Extubation by day 14

Road to Recovery continues in ICU, then transferred to the Sierra Tower on day 26

Discharged on day 32

Wyatt will continue outpatient appointments, exams, treatments, and therapy in Reno, NV. WL is in great spirits, he is happy to be in a temporary home and not in a hospital, and he is enjoying his new gift from the “Little Wishes” non-profit organization. (A PC Racing Wheel and Pedal for his online racing games) The FINAL CHECKERED FLAG Wyatt Leggette is looking forward to is being back home in Mammoth Lakes, CA, healthy and strong! Thank you again for all of your continued support.

Hospital Update Day 30 (1/28/2024) After 25 days in the Renown Children’s Hospital ICU (Intensive Care Unit), Wyatt Leggette was transferred to the Sierra Tower Pediatric Hospital floor last Wednesday, January 24th. The focus for Wyatt now is to make sure his ruptured appendicitis wound is healing correctly as a medical team comes to see him daily to change the dressing and check a few spots that were causing issues. WL is also working with a physical therapist as well as an occupational therapist daily as he has lost a lot of muscle strength, and he needs to get back on a daily routine of activities. His respiratory distress is getting stronger over time as he still needs help at night but he can breathe on his own throughout the day. He also took his first hot shower today! WL’s spirits are positive as he knows everyone is cheering for him. Wyatt enjoyed the kind postcard that he received from Meg in Escondido.

The Leggette family would like to continue to say thank you for all of the support and prayers since he was life-flighted from his hometown of Mammoth Lakes, California, to the hospital in Reno, Nevada, on December 30th, 2023.

Hospital Update Day 26 (1/24/2024) After 25 days in the Renown Children’s Hospital ICU, Wyatt Leggette was transferred to the Sierra Tower Pediatric Hospital floor. Although it was a monumental accomplishment of healing strength and willpower by Wyatt and his medical team, tears were shared. From day one, his caregivers shared with his parents to be very honest with Wyatt and his health condition. Chas and Jonnel, his doctors and nurses (and our community) have been his cheerleaders as he has been fighting to win this RACE of LIFE!!! When he was transferred from the ICU to the Pediatric Hospital floor, Wyatt was confused (understandably) as he THOUGHT HE WAS GOING HOME TO MAMMOTH! Such an honest emotion from Wyatt broke the hearts of anyone in his presence as he was very upset to go to another hospital room. Support, love, music, and communication have been the best medicine. WL is closer to the finish line of coming HOME the WINNER that he is! Thank you again for all of the continued support for “Freeski Wyatt!”

Update 23: Wyatt Leggette has progressed so much lately. He is still in the ICU with incredible medical teams working on his complicated case. To recap his time in the Pediatric ICU floor at the Renown Reginal Medical Center since December 30th, 2023, here are a few of the medical conditions that have made his ROAD TO RECOVERY challenging: 1. Falling ill in his hometown of Mammoth Lakes, California, where he was life-flighted to Reno with acute kidney failure with the risk of brain damage. 2. Testing positive on December 31st for Influenza A.

3. Having a Rapid Response Team enter his hospital room due to complications with his heart after a scheduled CAT scan. 4. Developing pneumonia in his lungs. 5. Complications with a feeding tube that sent him into an emergency surgery (January, 7th) as the doctors thought he had a hole in either his stomach, small intestines, or large intestine. 6. Because of the complications with a feeding tube, surgeons discovered none of those thoughts as they found a ruptured appendix which SAVED HIS LIFE at that moment in time. (No one knows how long he had suffered with that condition) 7. His right lung collapsed after his major appendix surgery. 8. Intubation. 9. Extubation. 10. Moving forward, driving forward, and knowing his community, friends, and family members are supporting him as he will WIN THIS ROAD TO RECOVERY!!!

The Leggette family would like to say thank you again for your continued support during such a difficult time.

Update: ICU Day 20 (1/18/2024) Wyatt Leggette continues to stay in critical condition but has shown progress over the past two days in the Pediatric ICU floor at the Renown Medical Center. Just yesterday, Wyatt’s appendix wound showed no infection (thankfully) which is always a risk after major surgery. For his continued struggle with severe pneumonia and respiratory distress, Wyatt’s doctors are rotating two mechanical breathing machines, the BiPap at night and a High Flow Oxygen therapy device for the day. The three milestones that this 13-year-old Mammoth Middle School student accomplished this week are: 1. SMILING. A music therapist from the NOTE-ABLE Music Therapy Program in Reno visited Wyatt with his acoustic guitar and allowed Wyatt to go through a playlist of songs provided by the musician. His choice, HEAVY METAL! His genre of music surprised all in the room as he smiled. His nurse was so happy, and so were his parents. 2. WALKING THE HALLWAY. Wyatt can now get out of bed with the support of his breathing machines, his nurses, his parents, and a walker. 3. HE WANTED HIS CELL PHONE. For a boy who wants to return to his normal teenage life, this moment tugged at everyone's heart. Wyatt’s spirits are stronger daily, he knows he has a tough road ahead, but everyone sees the finish line getting closer! Thank you again for all of your continued support.

Update: ICU DAY 18 (1/16/2024) Wyatt is a champion! He is still fighting for his life. After a few days of intubation, his mechanical ventilator was extubated over the weekend. The process was scary for the parents, but it was liberating for Wyatt’s internal willpower to continue to conquer and overcome this unfortunate illness that has brought him so many medical challenges. He is back on a BiPAP machine to help him breathe as his body is under so much stress. His ruptured appendix wound is still healing as it covers his entire torso. The goal for Wyatt is to continue to drive forward and find that finish line of healing, with the hopes of returning home as the champion that he is! We love you WYATT LEGGETTE and FAMILY!!!

Update:

ICU Day 12: Wyatt and his parents had a tough day yesterday. Wyatt's condition is becoming more complex as the days continue. His right lung collapsed due to his severe pneumonia. His medical team in Reno has put him on a very uncomfortable BiPap machine (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure). Wyatt's tears sent messages of sadness, but also hope to everyone in his room. Wyatt truly realizes that he is navigating the most important race in his life right now, his ability to breathe. Thank you everyone for all of the love and support.

ICU Day 10 1/8/2024: Last night, Chas and Jonnel received a call that Wyatt needed emergency surgery due to complications with a feeding tube. During the surgery, doctors found that he had a ruptured appendix. (News to everyone) Please continue to pray for our boy. Thank you everyone for the love and support.

The Leggette family of Mammoth Lakes, California, has recently faced an upsetting life-changing experience. No family would wish to endure the misfortune that suddenly happened to Wyatt.

In the early morning of Saturday, Dec. 30th, Wyatt was having difficulty breathing. His mother took him to Mammoth Hospital Emergency. After examination in the ER, the doctors recommended he be life-flighted to Reno where he was transported to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Renown Medical Center. His condition on that early morning of Saturday, December 30 was acute kidney failure with the risk of brain damage if not treated promptly. By Sunday, December 31st, in the ICU, Wyatt tested positive for Influenza A at Renown Medical Center.

By Monday, January 1, Wyatt’s body began to “misfire” as a sudden rapid heartbeat began to spike in his young body after a scheduled CT scan. The Rapid Response Team was called as doctors and nurses acted quickly to ensure his life as his parents watched with great concern and distress.

In addition to the trauma experience in the ICU, Wyatt is currently battling a severe case of pneumonia that began around Tuesday, January 2, which has been difficult and very painful on his already compromised organs within his teenage body.

As of Friday, January 5, doctors are still dealing with Wyatt’s complicated medical case. During the morning round of ICU care, Wyatt is not showing improvement where the doctors hoped he would be. His doctors and nurses are giving him the best care and foresee a long haul of tests and procedures in the future to allow his quality of life to return to normal where he can race his RC cars (especially in the town’s annual 4th of July parade), fly his RC planes, be a brother, a son, a nephew, a grandchild, a friend, and continue being the fun-loving middle school student that he is.

We hope you can help the family during this stressful time. They are presently experiencing significant financial hardship and need help with the ongoing medical expenses in addition to the temporary housing in Reno to be at their son’s bedside.

About the Leggette Family:

“Chas” is a very well-respected Diesel/Snowcat mechanic for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area where he helps behind the scenes in a garage to ensure the fleet of PistenBully snowcats (in addition to other snow placement machines) are maintained and operational for daily use. Jonnel “Mrs. Leggette” is a fabulous and well-loved teacher and ASB advisor at Mammoth Middle School. In addition to being a school teacher, Jonnel is also a server and grill chef at the Mogul restaurant. Their children, Logan Lu and Wyatt are the bees’ knees to speak; they are just awesome mountain kids!

Prayers and love are welcome. Thank you for considering financial help. The family will post updates on their son’s medical progress.

Much appreciated,

The Castro family, the Nafarrete family, the Reeves family, the Anderson family, the Janewicz family, and the Leggette family