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On October 30th, 2021, Kayla Bynum received the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine that was mandatory for her job. At the time, she was a Medical Laboratory Technician working at a hospital. Two (2) weeks after receiving the vaccine Kayla began to have lower back pain, decreased urine output, and extreme fatigue. Shortly after, doctors told her that her kidneys were not functioning properly and that she would need dialysis. To make matters worse, she was informed that her blood pressure was critically low due to being previously diagnosed with Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Because of this, dialysis would be risky and could possibly lead to a stroke or even death. (POTS) is a condition that affects blood flow. POTS causes the development of symptoms -- usually lightheadedness, fainting, and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in a heartbeat -- that comes on when standing up from a reclining position and is relieved by sitting or lying back down.

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As they decided on what course of action to take next, Kayla’s health continued to decline. On January 29th, Kayla was walking out from eating at a restaurant when she felt a striking pain that brought her to her knees. She ended up having an extremely bad seizure and became very sick. Kayla was previously diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of nine. As Kayla continued to become sicker, she began to have heavy swelling in certain areas of her body. She was admitted into the hospital on Monday, January 31st, only to receive the news that she had now developed Hydronephrosis from the lack of urine output. Hydronephrosis is swelling of one or both kidneys. Kidney swelling happens when urine can't drain from a kidney and builds up in the kidney as a result. This can occur from a blockage in the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys (ureters) or from an anatomical defect that doesn't allow urine to drain properly. They needed to perform surgery to remove the fluid as soon as possible!

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With her blood pressure being critically low, combined with her unstable labs, the medical team advised the Bynums that it was either life or death for anesthesia to be involved. They declined the surgery and hospital personnel encouraged them to involve hospice at this point. On Tuesday, February 1st, they returned to the hospital and unfortunately yet again had made no progress. They were told that surgery needed to happen immediately, or that she would not make it through the night. After much prayer, they agreed to the surgery. The surgery was successful yet during recovery, Kayla’s blood pressure continued to bottom out eventually stopping her heart. She flatlined for fifteen (15) seconds but thankfully doctors were able to revive her. After a long and emotional two (2) hours, Kayla finally regained consciousness. Due to the loss of oxygen to her brain and trauma that her body endured while under anesthesia, Kayla spent the following two (2) weeks in bed not being able to walk. She had suffered extreme nerve damage and needed to start physical therapy immediately. This would be in addition to the weekly blood transfusions and IV Therapy that she was already was receiving for POTS.

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Just when all hope was lost, Kayla was introduced to a “clinical trial” that had an eighty (80) percent success rate with individuals who had adverse kidney reactions to COVID vaccines. After three (3) weeks of trying the treatment, things were not working, and Kayla continued to swell and decline in health. As fate would have it, the “clinical trial” was discontinued on Thursday, March 3rd due to legal reasons. As a last resort, hospital staff encouraged the Bynums to start Stem Cell Therapy. Stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine, promotes the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional, or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. It is the next chapter in organ transplantation and uses cells instead of donor organs, which are limited in supply. Kayla started Stem Cell Therapy on March 9th at Duke Hospital, with hopes that it will restore kidney function. This treatment will last 6-8 weeks and there are many unknowns involved with this treatment. Ultimately, with her blood pressure remaining critically low, the hopes for dialysis or a transplant are very slim. However, they are in good faith that God is the ultimate physician and have placed any and all faith in HIM!