We want to emphasize how acutely aware we are that while our pleas and prayers may be answered, it will be at the expense of another family’s deepest tragedy. To receive the gift of life for Kya, another family must say a final, heartbreaking goodbye. We hold this reality with the utmost reverence. Their courage in their darkest hour is the bridge to Kya’s future, and we carry that awareness in every breath we take. Please hold space not only for us, but also for the donor, their family, and the legacy of life they leave behind.
READY
I began by packing my life into three specific suitcases:
#1 The Transition Bag – essentials for the intermediate “in-between.”
#2 The Long -Term Bag – more clothes and comforts for our new “home away from home.”
#3 The Transplant Bag – my “go-bag” for the hospital, ready at a moment’s notice.
For Kya, we also packed a few pieces for comfort: her art supplies, a bed-rail fan and phone holder, and her stuffed “Piggy,” of course. We brought duplicate games like Yahtzee, Uno, and Battleship so she can play virtually with friends and family, keeping those connections strong.
SET
Our Nashville Arrival
A missed check-in time lost us our original housing, but we were led to an alternative that served us better. We also found a long-term ‘home”. It’s quiet, comfortable and less than 20 minutes from the hospital. It’s a sanctuary for us as we bounce between Birmingham, Nashville, and the hospital. The owners have extended such kindness and understanding, topped off with a welcome basket. We are so grateful for this home away from home, and grateful for all the suggestions and connections you sent our way!
Eli’s health remains stable. He is home finishing his spring semester and taking care of the household duties when Eric visits me and Kya in Nashville. Our incredible neighbors have also stepped in to care for our dog, ensure our grass is cut, and just keep a watchful eye, ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Window Seat
Kya’s spirits are courageous, resilient, and even humorous – she recently named her stubborn IV pole “Eli,” after her brother. The care at Vanderbilt continues to be exceptional. The staff recently moved her to a larger room, even moving furniture around so she could sit by the window. It was a herculean task given the 15+ wires she is connected to, but sitting in some sunlight makes a world of difference and they insisted on doing it because that’s what Kya wanted.
Connection
We’ve experienced so many points of connections or “God-winks”. Kya’s nurse has a stuffed animal (a moose) called “moose” – a perfect match for “Piggy”; our rental home has a single coffee mug with a “K” on it (for Kenny and Kya); and a chance meeting at the store led me to someone whose spouse just received an organ transplant. There is so much comfort in these connections. We are not alone.
GO
Transplant Status
When we received notice that Kya is officially listed as Status 2, the world stopped spinning for a moment. It was heavy, pivotal, and reassuring to know there is movement toward prolonging her life. It’s been a journey of heartbreak, frustration, grief and exhaustion. It’s a moment to mark, yet difficult to describe. I sense there will be similar moments ahead, carrying great emotional magnitude. We know it’s possible her status can change. We know she might wait weeks or months. There may be many false starts, but we are here for all of it.
Follow Our Journey on Social Media
We’ve launched social media pages. For real-time updates, connect with us here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamHamUpdates/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/teamhamupdates/
Support the Journey
We are constantly moved by your kindness and generosity: THANK YOU for the overwhelming love you have shown our family! You have likely noticed the fundraising goal on our COTA campaign page. It’s a big number because a transplant is a lifetime journey, and COTA helps us prepare for so much more beyond the surgery. And multiply x2 since we anticipate Eli will also need a transplant in the future.
- A Lifetime Safety Net: 100% of all funds raised in honor of Kya and Eli are administered by COTA for transplant-related expenses for their entire life.
- What COTA Funds Cover: Transplant-related expenses such as travel, lodging, co-pays, medications and other cardiac-related care that insurance may not fully cover.
- Professional Oversight: COTA is a 501(c)3 charity. They own and administer the funds, ensuring every dollar is spent strictly on documented medical and transplant-related expenses.
- Security: COTA funds are not personal income. They do not jeopardize Kya and Eli’s eligibility for other critical programs.
Partner With Us
If you own a business or work for a company with a heart for giving, please know that donating to COTA is exactly like donating to other 501(c)3 organizations.
- 100% Tax-Deductible to the Fullest Extent of the Law: Any business donation is a legitimate tax deduction.
- Corporate Matching: Many companies have matching gift programs that COTA is eligible for. You can search COTA’s database to see if your employer is already set up to give.
Your generosity to COTA for Team Ham is building a permanent foundation that ensures Kya and Eli will always have access to cardiac and transplant care.
