Hello, my name is Niquoya, and I am Khirstyn's mom. Khirstyn was born on June 2, 2021, at 35 weeks, and she was completely healthy. However, as Khirstyn grew, I started having concerns, but it took months for someone to take those concerns seriously. Eight days after Khirstyn turned 2, on June 10th, she underwent an MRI, which revealed a tumor on her spine. Immediately, we were admitted to the hospital, and her scans were presented at an upcoming conference. The following day, a biopsy confirmed that the tumor was cancerous and needed further testing. The neurosurgeon, who has been amazing, advised against surgery due to the tumor's complex entanglement with nerves, describing it as a "bird's nest." He emphasized that attempting to remove the tumor would risk Khirstyn losing her ability to walk and control her bowels.

The biopsy results came back around the end of July, and Khirstyn was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called Pilocytic Astrocytoma. It's even rarer in her case because it is located on her spine. After consulting with multiple doctors and her oncologist, it was recommended to start IV chemotherapy to stabilize the tumor and prevent further growth and complications. Khirstyn now has to attend numerous appointments, including chemotherapy, as well as weekly physical and speech therapy sessions. Currently, she has five appointments every week. As you can imagine, this has put a significant financial strain on us. Balancing work and ensuring Khirstyn can make it to all her appointments has been challenging. On top of that, I have two other children who are actively involved in school and our community, and it has been difficult to shield them from the impact of their sister's diagnosis.

In today's economy, both parents need full-time, decent-paying jobs to meet the daily expenses of a family of five. Unfortunately, my oldest son's dad is deceased, and my middle child has had no contact with her father for years. Since June 2023, we have been relying on Khirstyn's dad as the primary source of income, but now I find myself in a position where I have to reach out to the community for help. I humbly ask for any support from those who can find it in their hearts to donate. All donations will be used to cover our monthly expenses and any household needs.

Thank you for taking the time to read my daughter's journey. Your support means the world to us.