Nebraska teen fighting cancer gets unique hospital visitor

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – To celebrate a 15-year-old’s fifth, and final, round of chemotherapy, the staff at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha scheduled a special visit with her favorite farm animal.

Since receiving her diagnosis six months ago, Kayla has undergone intense treatment and several monthlong hospital stays, leaving her homesick.

Throughout her hospital stays, Kayla decorated her room with cow artwork and decor, showing her love for the animal and the farming community back home.

Kayla was visited by a cow from Scatter Joy Acres, which provides shelter for neglected animals.  The ranch also provides animal therapy for at-risk, ill or developmentally disabled and autistic children, seniors and veterans.

Hospital staff planned the visit in hopes that “bringing a piece of home to Kayla and hoping to make her last hospital stay brighter, better and incredibly memorable.”

When Kayla found out about this special visit, she said, “I didn’t know what to say, but there was this big grin on my face, and I couldn’t quit smiling for the rest of the day. I was just so excited and couldn’t believe they were actually bringing in a cow. I’m excited to be home after this but am going to miss everyone because they’ve been like a big family to me.”

Sarah James, a chaplain at Children’s called Kayla “an inspirational kiddo.”

“It’s been difficult, and she’s had some highs and some lows, but she’s persevered and even inspired others in their own journeys,” James said. “We wanted to make this moment special for Kayla and for her mom.”