Childhood Cancer Warrior: Kayden

As told by her mother

Before cancer Kayden was a happy, healthy 10 year old competitive gymnast.   She practiced gymnastics 20+ hours a week and traveled all over the country for gymnastics competitions. However, in an instant her whole world was turned upside down.

In June, Kayden was diagnosed with BCOR Sarcoma. While visiting Houston for a gymnastics camp with her coach and teammate, she began to experience weakness in her legs and difficulty walking. Kayden was taken to the emergency room where an MRI detected a tumor on her spine. Kayden had always been an extremely healthy child so this news came as a complete and total shock.

Three days later, Kayden underwent an 8 hour spine surgery to remove the tumor and stabilize the bones compromised by it. Kayden is a true warrior as she bounced back quickly from the major back surgery and was walking unassisted with the physical therapist the very next day!

At this time we made the decision to remain in Houston as a family of 5, while Kayden completes chemotherapy and undergoes radiation in hopes of returning to our home in California once treatment is completed.

Although Kayden remains the strong, vibrant, happy girl she has always been, extended hospital stays, side effects from chemotherapy and being thousands of miles away from home are all very difficult. Although we have hard days, organizations like Sky High for Kids truly make a difference.  Besides bringing much needed awareness and funding to childhood cancer, the support and activities they provide for kids like Kayden offer much needed joy during an otherwise challenging journey.