Kayla Needs Help as she Battles a Life Threatening Illness

Please help Kayla as she and her unborn child battle this very rare condition that threatens the lives of both of them

We are devastated to share that our youngest of the family Kayla, has been diagnosed with TTP (Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) when she was just 16 weeks pregnant!

TTP is an acute, rare, life-threatening autoimmune blood disorder. Whats makes Kaylas diagnosis even more unique is the time of gestation Kayla was at, at the time of this diagnosis.

Earlier in September Kayla went to The Royal Womens Hospital with severe epigastric pain. After four days she was told it was pancreatitis and transferred to Royal Melbourne Hospital. With pain under control and baby safe she was sent home but within 24 hours the pain was once again out of control and she went back to ED.

This was a life saving choice as it was found that Kaylas organs were hours away from failing her and without delay she received 13 bags of donor plasma before the doctors were able to confirm a TTP diagnosis due to the conditions rarity and severity.

Doctors confirmed the diagnosis the next day. Kayla spent another 11 days at Royal Melbourne Hospital receiving daily plasma exchange and high doses of steroids to help fight this. As a result of the steroids she has also acquired steroid induced diabetes.

Kayla has had numerous specialist doctors from three major hospitals working together to keep Kayla and her baby safe.

Throughout all of this Kayla has remained strong and positive however was devastated to learn that she is a high risk pregnancy and will almost certainly endure preeclampsia and can no longer work until she has had her baby and goes into remission. This is why we are calling for help.

Kayla is a nurse and works with people in the community who suffer from profound disabilities. She loves her job and patients and her patients love her. However Kayla is employed casually and does not receive sick pay, annual or maternity leave. So I am setting up this go fund me to try ease the financial burden Kayla has already begun to feel. Without an income Kayla stands to loose her home and car let alone medical expenses and of course the more joyous expenses of a baby.

The road to recovery and a safe delivery of her baby will be a long and tedious one. She remains visiting the hospital 2-3 times a week for

4-8 hours of treatment plus specialist appointments, tests and close monitoring.

Every donation however big or small is deeply appreciated and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you.