Former Sidney residents struggle with untreatable illness

Just a few months ago, two-year-old Kyra Eads was a normal toddler, developing quickly and getting into mischief. Now she's spending her days receiving radiation treatments at Children's Hospital in Denver, where her doctors say her condition has no cure.

Eads suffers from an inoperable brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Despite her grim diagnosis, her parents describe her basically as a normal child.

"She is a two-year-old ornery little girl," said her mother, Kaila Kuhns.

Prior to becoming ill Eads appeared particularly gifted. She walked and even traversed stairways before she was one year old, as well as mastering safety locks.

This fall, the girl's parents Kuhns and Shane Eads noticed that their daughter was experiencing balance issues. Eads was sitting down to go up and down the stairs and when she did stand, she couldn't go and up and down the stairs without shaking. Her balance problems escalated quickly and soon Eads experienced difficulty walking as well.

Kuhns took her daughter to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff where the family lives, thinking that the balance problems were caused by an ear infection.

The doctor who saw Eads immediately knew something was wrong and ordered a CAT scan and blood work.

Eads was soon admitted to the emergency room and went on a flight for life to Denver. At this point Kuhns, who grew up in Sidney, still believed everything would be alright.

Eads was flown to Denver the day before Thanksgiving but her family waited until Dec. 5 for the diagnosis.

"We were very heartbroken, confused and angry," Kuhns said.

Although the tumor has no cure, the family isn't giving up hope, she added.

Because Eads is too young to take part in any clinical trials, there are very few options for her and her family. She is currently undergoing radiation in Denver which she will endure for six weeks, after which the family hopes that Eads will be symptom free. The family is wishful that the radiation will prolong their daughter's life long enough for her to be admitted into clinical trial treatments. Eads will be able to participate in these trials once she is three years old.

Eads can only undergo one round of radiation which will end Feb. 7. While Eads receives treatment in Denver, the family is living at the Ronald McDonald house there.

Eads warms the heart of all those she meet, her mother said. Kuhns said her will to keep going during this difficult time comes from Eads herself.

"She's always waking up happy and full of life," Kuhns said. "She's the strong one."

Other family members agreed that Eads keeps them positive.

"She's a strong little girl," said Sheryl Biberos, Ead's grandmother. "She is strong and smart. She is what's getting mom and dad through this."

The family has struggled with the reason why this would happen to such a young child, Biberos said.

"It's been very hard," Kuhns said.

The family does see a few positives that sparked from this situation.

"I guess it has brought the family closer together," Biberos said.

Through the years, especially after Kuhns moved to Scottsbluff more than a year ago, the family became very involved in their own lives and started to grow apart, Biberos said. Biberos also believes the experience has brought Ead's parents more fully into their Christian faith. The challenges that the family faces are more than just the disease that Eads is battling. It has been difficult to spend time away from her four year old son while she's in Denver with Eads and he stays with his father, Kuhns said.

During this treatment, the family is incurring many bills from travel and medical expenses. Shane Eads has missed a significant amount of work during this time.

The family opened benefit accounts at Points West Bank for which donations can be made at any branch and well as Platte Valley Bank. To donate, people can contact either bank and ask to donate to the Kyra Eads fund.

The family expresses its thanks for all those who've helped them out and asks for prayers for Eads.

"Right now, the only treatment would be a miracle," Kuhns said.