Jessica Leyva says her daughter Aryelle had been experiencing health issues since she was five, including weight loss and muscle weakness that made it difficult to walk. For months, doctors told her to give her daughter time, but Leyva said the symptoms persisted.
In September, Aryelle’s face began to swell, prompting Leyva to take her to urgent care. Initially prescribed antibiotics for what she thought was a tooth infection, Aryelle’s condition worsened rapidly, with swelling extending to her eye.
A doctor then informed Leyva that Aryelle needed to be rushed to the hospital due to kidney failure, with her kidney function down to just five percent. Aryelle underwent surgery and has since been receiving dialysis at Summerlin Hospital, where she remains hospitalized and homeschooled.
Leyva described the diagnosis as the second worst moment of her life, second only to hearing the word 'transplant.' She is now her daughter’s full-time caregiver and is waiting for a kidney donor to become available.
Leyva is sharing her story to encourage other parents to speak up when they sense something is wrong with their child’s health, saying, 'I think as a mom, you see things that other people don't see. And I think trust your gut. Advocate for your children, speak up. Sometimes there's going to be professionals that you need to speak up to, that you need to question.'
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
English (US)·