Support for Dylan and the Layman Family

Dylan (2019)


Dylan (April 2020)


Dylan and Matthew (2019)


Five months ago, Dylan, then a 22-year old senior in college, began experiencing symptoms connected to severe Ulcerative Colitis (UC), with an initial diagnosis in March 2020.  Over the next 7 weeks, he lost approximately 65-70 lbs and started a cycle of hospital stays followed by time at home, then returning to the ER, only to be admitted again.  Dehydration, CMV in the colon, thrush, severe diarrhea, low blood pressure, rapid heart beat, lack of appetite, loss of muscle mass and more, continued, and at times it appeared he was too weak and nearly unresponsive to function.  An extensive list of medicines were prescribed and the family attempted to follow a gut-healing and gentle diet with specialty foods and supplements.  When a multitude of tests and procedures by multiple doctors  in different states deemed this was more complicated than straight-forward UC, the family made the trek to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.   They spent a week there, and it was determined the CMV had spread to his blood, he had the start of an infection in the colon, and the inflammation from the UC or possibly Crohn's was indeed severe.  New medicines were started and they returned home, with weekly blood draws and frequent communication with Mayo continuing. 

Within a couple of days of their return from Minnesota, Dylan, who now needed a wheelchair, started to show miraculous improvement.  It seemed the combination of the right medicines and special diet were working as Dylan was no longer bound to his room, but wanted to walk, join the family in common areas of the house, work on his laptop, and visit with friends.  Every day brought new advancements including cooking his own foods, lifting 5- and 8-pound weights, moving back to his own room upstairs, and then driving.   He experienced three weeks of continual improvement, then two at the same level, before something triggered a setback.  It's difficult to pinpoint what may have occurred because a "perfect storm" of factors fell within a few days of one another, but on the morning of Saturday, July 11, Dylan requested his mom, Stephanie, come pick him up from Grand Rapids (2 hours from home).  It was determined the drive home would be difficult, if not impossible, and so they went to the ER and he was admitted. 

At this writing, Dylan has been in the hospital for 2 weeks, having experienced several days of improvement before seeing a rapid deterioration and excruciating pain by the next weekend.  They weighed options and ultimately made the difficult decision to have the colon removed (complete colectomy with ileostomy).  This is not the outcome they had hoped for, but Dylan felt he was becoming dangerously sick.  The hope is that Dylan will be released to heal at home soon, but because of the severe weight loss, he is receiving TPN through a port, and is utilizing physical therapy to increase muscle strength and mobility.  These can continue at home if needed.  There will be weeks of healing and subsequent surgeries in a few months, but Dylan's faith (and that of their family) is strong, and they will continue to pray and trust.

It has been an exceptionally difficult year for Stephanie and her four kids, starting with youngest son, Matthew, being rushed to the hospital by ambulance in January after waking and not being able to breathe.  He was hospitalized for nearly a week.  In February, Matthew was again admitted to the hospital for a week, this time with an "unknown virus" that was very concerning and could not be identified after numerous tests.  At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie lost her job (March 18), and, to date, still has not received an unemployment payment, enlisting the help of her state senator to resolve the matter.  Dylan spent three of his hospital stays and two of his trips to the ER during the early stages of the COVID lockdown, meaning he was alone, no visitors allowed, facing the unknown and doing his best to keep his spirits up.  He has been tested for COVID five times (all negative).  He graduated from college this spring (as did his twin brother, Austin, and his sister, Jessica, graduated from high school), but lost his finance job that was lined up because of COVID cutbacks.  

The financial, physical, and emotional toll this has taken on Stephanie, Dylan, Austin, Jessica, and Matthew has been great, but they continue to be positive and try to move ahead as best they can.  In addition to financial help with the mounting bills, both Stephanie and Dylan will be in need of work-from-home and/or temporary jobs as the upcoming months are uncertain.  Austin and Jessica have continued working, but have also significantly increased their assistance around the house and with day-to-day responsibilities.  Matthew helps as he is able.  The family has grown their fruit and veggie business in an attempt to bring in extra income, and Stephanie's parents have jumped in to help, taking over primary operations while Stephanie and Dylan are away.  They are grateful for the continued prayers and support they have received.

I have been friends with Stephanie for about 4 years now.  She is one of the most positive, kind, selfless people I have ever met.  Her children are the same way.  They always have a smile on their face no matter the situation.  She has always been on the giving/helping side and now needs help herself.  I would love to be able to help make her life a little less stressful financially.  She deserves it.  Thank you so much for your help.  Any amount is appreciated!