AlaynasJourney

Hi everyone! As most of you know our niece Alayna is headed to CHOP in May for surgery. We are trying to help raise funds to cover travel expenses and other needs! Alayna and Cassie will be away from home for several days for 2 separate surgeries. Here is Alaynas story! 
On September 15th, 2013 a beautiful little girl entered this world not knowing the challenges she was going to face growing up. Soon after birth Cassie realized some stuff with Alayna that she thought was different. Alaynas left side didn’t grow the same as the right or function properly. That is where Alaynas medical journey began. After an MRI Alayna was diagnosed with Schizencephaly, an extremely rare developmental birth defect characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. This is something Alayna will never live without. In a nutshell she is missing pieces of her brain that help function a lot of her motor skills. Anyway, this little girl grew and thrived and over came so many medical issues. This year at a routine physical, it was discovered she has Scoliosis. With her body not growing at the same rate her left side appendages are much smaller. Smaller hand, shorter leg, smaller foot. During this physical an X-ray was taken and they also discovered a kidney full of kidney stones. Some small, some average and one really big one. It was decided Alayna needed to have PCNL surgery in order for her kidney to potentially function at a normal level. During this surgery Alayna will have a stent placed in her kidney and a drain tube placed in her back. After a few weeks Alayna will then travel back to CHOP and have a second surgery. 
She is a super brave girl and so super nervous. Even if you can not help, please say a prayer that this girl has some successful surgeries. At this point in time she is walking a fine line hoping no stone moves and gets lodged to cause further damage. 
Her first surgery will be taking place May 30th at CHOP in Philadelphia with the following one to be scheduled. 
we are just trying to cover all travel expenses for her and Cassie to help relieve some of the stress. Cassie will also be leaving behind her 3 other children to make this journey which is extremely hard on her. 
Thank you for reading Alayna’s story! Please pray for success ♥️