Agency provides care to woman with cerebral palsy – Morganton News Herald

LENOIR Doug Sanders of Lenoir knows that when it comes to doing what is best for those you love, sometimes you have to ask for help. Thats why he has asked Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care to help him take care of his daughter, Kayla, 23, who has cerebral palsy, seizures and cortical blindness.

I decided to call Caldwell Hospice because I thought if they were seeing her regularly, they might see changes that I couldnt, Sanders said.

Born at 23 weeks and weighing just over 1 pound at birth, Kayla has been a fighter her entire life. Although she was not expected to live long enough to leave the hospital at birth, her strong will prevailed. It has been a difficult journey for both her and her parents Sanders and the late Michelle Bentley Sanders.

Kaylas mother died three years ago while awaiting a heart/kidney transplant. Sanders sister Kaylas aunt died from breast cancer with Caldwell Hospice about a year ago, so Sanders is familiar with the help Caldwell Hospice offers.

Earlier this year, Sanders noticed that Kayla did not seem like herself. Though non-verbal, she has learned to communicate in other ways. Acutely attuned to his daughters needs, Sanders was concerned something was going on with her health. Her specialist at Duke pinpointed the problem. Bloodwork revealed a kidney issue, and further testing showed her kidneys, operating at only about 12 percent, had not fully formed and were full of cysts. The doctors suggested dialysis.

Very familiar with dialysis from his wifes experience, Sanders knew Kayla, who is very sensitive to tactile stimuli, would not be able to tolerate the procedure.

It would be torture for her three times a week, he said, explaining his decision to forgo the process. Kayla has struggled with so much her whole life, and there would be no end with dialysis. She is not a candidate for a transplant. It just wasnt worth it. I chose a better quality of life rather than quantity. I want her to enjoy her life, whatever amount remains.

Kaylas doctor at Duke and her local primary care physician suggested Caldwell Hospice to provide extra support.

Sanders was hesitant, because he had not seen any symptoms of kidney disease in his daughter. Her diagnosis had come through lab work. After giving it some thought, though, he decided getting hospice involved now could help him and Kayla.

Caldwell Hospice has made me feel more comfortable by knowing that trained eyes are seeing her regularly that might see changes that I could miss, Sanders said.

Kayla also receives other outside skilled care and both her grandmothers are able to help. Together, they and now Caldwell Hospice form a strong support team for daughter and dad.

For now, Sanders is focused on making sure Kaylas life is full. She enjoys watching movies with a lot of music, but mostly the ones she watched over and over with her mother. Since she is visually impaired, her mother would narrate the movies as they watched. Watching the movies now, Kayla gets excited as she hears her favorite parts coming up.

She also enjoys riding in a four-wheeler that Sanders custom-equipped for her to accompany him. He said she likes to go fast, and lets him know she is bored if he goes too slow.

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Agency provides care to woman with cerebral palsy - Morganton News Herald