Kycie's Story
Kycie Jai Terry was born October 11th, 2009. Kycie was the youngest of 5 children, and the only girl. Protected and pampered. Wholesome and daring. In 2013 the Terry family welcomed their 5th boy to the family. His name is Boston, but Kycie called him, "my baby."
2015 was looking bright
for Kycie. After years and years of begging her parents, Kycie got a dog
of her own for Christmas. She was busy playing with her puppy and
preparing for her first year of competitive cheerleading. One Sunday after
church, Kycie complained of a headache. The next day she stayed home from
pre-school after she threw up and didn't feel good. Tuesday she wouldn't
eat and would only sip on Sprite and water, complaining her tummy hurt.
Wednesday she was seen by her doctor and diagnosed with Strep throat.
Thursday night her parents noticed she had lost a lot of weight, still
wasn't eating and threw up several times through the night. On Friday,
January 30th, Kycie's parents took her to the ER in St. George, Utah.
There she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She was LifeFlighted
310 miles north to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.
While in flight, Kycie's
blood sugars began to drop rapidly. Kycie and her mother landed in Salt
Lake City around 6:00 pm. Shortly after boarding the ambulance Kycie
suffered a seizure. She had another seizure just upon arriving at Primary
Children's Hospital.
At first, her parents
thought Kycie was in a diabetic coma and expected her to wake up any minute.
After about 24 hours of little progress, doctors ordered an MRI. On
Sunday, February 1st, doctors told Josh and Jamie that the MRI showed extensive
damage to critical areas of Kycie's brain. Most kids do not survive an
injury like this, and those that do have little to no quality of life.
Her parents were devastated and spent the next 8 days in the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit praying and encouraging Kycie to fight. They vowed
that as long as she fights, they would fight with her.
Kycie surprised everyone
and was able to breath without the help of a ventilator and did not need a
tracheotomy. She was moved to the Neuro and Trauma Unit to begin a long
and painful recovery.
Kycie's parents live in
St. George, Utah which is located 310 south of Primary Children's Hospital.
Josh and Jamie Terry decided from the beginning that they would never
leave Kycie alone. Josh would drive to the hospital every weekend and
back to southern Utah during the work week while Jamie stayed by Kycie's side.
Overwhelmed with the new
diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, its unpredictable sugar swings, shots and glucose
checks, Josh and Jamie were dealing with the even more daunting fact that their
little princess now had a severe traumatic brain injury. Kycie would open
her eyes for short periods of time, but made little purposeful movement.
At this time, Kycie was being fed though a tube in her nose and
doctors wanted to place a more permanent feeding tube in her stomach. Jamie
worked night and day nursing Kycie back to health while feelings of guilt for
leaving her 5 boys at home were only slightly blanketed by feelings of peace
for caring for her sick and injured daughter.
On May 14th, 2015 Kycie
was released from the hospital and able to go back home. This would be
the first time the entire family was under the same roof since January 30th.
As the Terry family pulled
into St. George, they were met with a hero's welcome. Fire trucks and
police cars escorted the family to their house with hundreds of people lining
the streets to welcome Kycie home.
The spirit that
accompanied Kycie filled the Terry house and Kycie was showered with kisses and
hugs from her brothers that missed her so much. They read her stories,
played games with her, and sat in her bed to watch movies. Kycie required
care 24 hours a day. Still unable to talk, walk, or feed herself, Josh
and Jamie worked each day to help Kycie progress.
When Kycie was discharged
the doctors told her parents that their number one concern for Kycie should be
pneumonia. After only 5 weeks of being home, Kycie came down with a cold.
She was admitted to the St. George hospital on June 30th and was
LifeFlighted back to Primary Children's Hospital that same day.
Pneumonia kept Kycie
hospitalized for just over a week. She slowly got stronger and on July
8th Kycie had recovered enough to be released and come back home. She was
only at her earthly home for another 3 days before passing away on July 11th in
her father’s arms and with her mother by her side.
This is Kycie's story, but she was so much more than a story. She was and still is a light to this world. Kycie's life changed millions of other lives for the better. Her family continues to share their journey and light to all who loved their baby girl. Their story is full of miracles and moments that brought them closer to God.
Life hasn't handed them an easy road, but through their struggles they have taught others along their way how to stand tall. At the darkest time in their life they have become a light for others who have began to see they are not alone. Their story is one of loss and pain, but their example of hope and grace has impacted the world.
The Terry's will be sharing their story at A Reason to Stand in St. George, Utah on October 22nd, 2016. Come be filled and share the day with us!
Read more about the Terry's journey:
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