Spinal Surgery for Kayla Kilba
Donation protected
Kayla Kilba is a well-loved family member, friend, and registered nurse in the northern community of Prince George, BC. Today Kayla needs our support as she undergoes her second spinal surgery this April.
Kayla has been dealing with a spinal injury since 2013. She spent 8 long years with chronic back and leg pain, being dismissed by medical professionals thinking she would heal on her own as a result of her young age. The pain impacts Kayla’s everyday life. She has had many missed months of work since 2019 due to her pain and immobility. After many failed treatments such as physiotherapy, facet joint injections, and epidural injections, Kayla’s neurosurgeon recommended surgery.
On June 5, 2020, Kayla underwent a hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy in North Vancouver. Unfortunately, Kayla continued to have lower back and leg pain after surgery. The neurosurgeon said it could take a couple months after surgery for the pain to resolve. Kayla waited patiently for this to occur, while trying to commence a return to work as a nurse amidst a pandemic. However, Kayla’s condition continued to worsen throughout the year. She developed numbness in both feet, and numbness and weakness in her right leg that affected her ability to walk and work.
On February 1st, the Vancouver neurosurgeon discovered that her previously damaged disc had reherniated, compressing on her nerve roots. Along with the reherniated disc, the MRI also revealed multiple new disc bulges, spinal stenosis, bone spurs within both SI joints, and the tendons of her right SI joint demonstrated hyperostosis- a condition where tendons begin to calcify into bone with unknown cause. Due to her age, a spinal fusion has been discussed as a last resort. Now Kayla is to undergo a repeat hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy April 13th, in North Vancouver at Lions Gate Hospital.
Additionally, Kayla will also need to travel in the coming months for genetic testing for a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which may be contributing to her spinal injuries and pain. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a rare genetic connective-tissue disorder that can cause loose joints causing tears, dislocation, and chronic pain, and life threatening cardiovascular complications. This will be a life long condition for Kayla as no cure is known at this time.
Kayla has worked as a RN since 2017. Her nursing career has included working in a rural emergency department, UHNBC operating room, and UHNBC neonatal intensive care unit. Kayla is eager to recover from surgery and return to her job and passion as a registered nurse in the NICU. Kayla has always been the one helping others: setting up fundraisers for others, volunteering at animal shelters, supporting family and friends and patients alike. Her compassion, generosity, and selflessness is appreciated by so many in the community.
Kayla is required to stay in Vancouver for 1 week after surgery in case of a spinal fluid leak, she is also required to have an escort as she will require assistance with walking. The money raised by this fundraiser will go towards helping Kayla cover the costs of flights, and accommodations in Vancouver for herself and escort while she recovers from back surgery and begins her rehabilitation over the coming months. It will also be used to help support her thereafter, in her journey for further investigation for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
Kayla is immensely grateful for all the love and support her friends and family have provided thus far. Please send as much love and light as you can her way; Even a few dollars makes a difference. Kayla needs our help!
#youcandoitputyourbackintoit #newbackforKK #helpingoneofourown #shellbespine #guesswhosback #backagain #kaylasback #tellafriend #weloveyoukayla
Kayla has been dealing with a spinal injury since 2013. She spent 8 long years with chronic back and leg pain, being dismissed by medical professionals thinking she would heal on her own as a result of her young age. The pain impacts Kayla’s everyday life. She has had many missed months of work since 2019 due to her pain and immobility. After many failed treatments such as physiotherapy, facet joint injections, and epidural injections, Kayla’s neurosurgeon recommended surgery.
On June 5, 2020, Kayla underwent a hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy in North Vancouver. Unfortunately, Kayla continued to have lower back and leg pain after surgery. The neurosurgeon said it could take a couple months after surgery for the pain to resolve. Kayla waited patiently for this to occur, while trying to commence a return to work as a nurse amidst a pandemic. However, Kayla’s condition continued to worsen throughout the year. She developed numbness in both feet, and numbness and weakness in her right leg that affected her ability to walk and work.
On February 1st, the Vancouver neurosurgeon discovered that her previously damaged disc had reherniated, compressing on her nerve roots. Along with the reherniated disc, the MRI also revealed multiple new disc bulges, spinal stenosis, bone spurs within both SI joints, and the tendons of her right SI joint demonstrated hyperostosis- a condition where tendons begin to calcify into bone with unknown cause. Due to her age, a spinal fusion has been discussed as a last resort. Now Kayla is to undergo a repeat hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy April 13th, in North Vancouver at Lions Gate Hospital.
Additionally, Kayla will also need to travel in the coming months for genetic testing for a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which may be contributing to her spinal injuries and pain. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a rare genetic connective-tissue disorder that can cause loose joints causing tears, dislocation, and chronic pain, and life threatening cardiovascular complications. This will be a life long condition for Kayla as no cure is known at this time.
Kayla has worked as a RN since 2017. Her nursing career has included working in a rural emergency department, UHNBC operating room, and UHNBC neonatal intensive care unit. Kayla is eager to recover from surgery and return to her job and passion as a registered nurse in the NICU. Kayla has always been the one helping others: setting up fundraisers for others, volunteering at animal shelters, supporting family and friends and patients alike. Her compassion, generosity, and selflessness is appreciated by so many in the community.
Kayla is required to stay in Vancouver for 1 week after surgery in case of a spinal fluid leak, she is also required to have an escort as she will require assistance with walking. The money raised by this fundraiser will go towards helping Kayla cover the costs of flights, and accommodations in Vancouver for herself and escort while she recovers from back surgery and begins her rehabilitation over the coming months. It will also be used to help support her thereafter, in her journey for further investigation for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
Kayla is immensely grateful for all the love and support her friends and family have provided thus far. Please send as much love and light as you can her way; Even a few dollars makes a difference. Kayla needs our help!
#youcandoitputyourbackintoit #newbackforKK #helpingoneofourown #shellbespine #guesswhosback #backagain #kaylasback #tellafriend #weloveyoukayla
Fundraising team (3)
Jen Bell
Organizer
Prince George, BC
Kayla Kilba
Beneficiary
Christina Doll
Team member
Ashley Callander
Team member