A Mother’s Courage:
A Family’s Journey to Hope

A Mother’s Courage:
A Family’s Journey to Hope

When Nicole first met Jailyn, she was a little girl whose life had already been filled with more medical battles than most people face in a lifetime. Born with intestinal failure and kidney complications, Jailyn entered foster care at a time when her body was struggling to survive. “I could see she wasn’t going to get the care she needed unless she had a stable home—so I adopted her,” Nicole recalls.

That decision would become the start of a story defined by love, perseverance, and the power of community.

A Leap of Faith

Nicole, a medical mom who had already adopted other children with complex health needs, knew what lay ahead—hospital rooms, feeding tubes, and long nights filled with uncertainty. But she also knew that every child deserves someone to fight for them. She began advocating for Jailyn’s care, navigating a maze of specialists and waiting lists.

After years of treatment in Texas and Pittsburgh, Jailyn’s care team said they could no longer manage her complex case. Determined not to give up, Nicole asked if they could go to Nebraska, a place she’d heard about years earlier. “From the moment we got here, I knew this was the right place,” she says.

Within months, Jailyn underwent a life-saving quadruple transplant—receiving a new small bowel, kidney, liver, and pancreas at Nebraska Medicine. It was a long, risky surgery, but Jailyn made it through. “It was a heroic procedure,” Nicole says, “and she did very, very well.”

Finding Family Far from Home

After the surgery, Nicole and Jailyn moved into Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, a place that quickly became their home away from home. “Now that I’ve been here six months, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” Nicole says. “Everybody here is so kind and thoughtful. You don’t feel alone—you have community.”

For the first time in years, they experienced stability. Nicole had a bed to rest in after long hospital days, and Jailyn found joy in simple things—art projects, crafts, and laughter with volunteers. “She comes back with all these little projects and bracelets,” Nicole says with a smile.

The House also gave Nicole something she hadn’t felt in a long time—peace. “The kitchen is home,” she says. “It’s where we cook, talk, play games, and connect. You can feel the love here.”

A Setback and a New Strength

Just as Jailyn began to recover from her transplant, her doctors found something unexpected: post-transplant lymphoma, a rare and serious complication. Nicole remembers the fear that followed—but also the strength that surrounded them. “My baby’s been fighting all her life,” she says. “I just want her to have some normalcy—to be a 12-year-old and to breathe.”

Through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Jailyn continued to amaze everyone. Her doctors were astonished by how well she responded to treatment. Each scan brought better news. Finally, after several rounds, the cancer was nearly gone.

Gratitude, Growth, and a Future Ahead

Today, Jailyn is rebuilding her strength and spirit. She still loves art, dreams of designing clothes, and lights up every room she enters. Nicole remains by her side, grateful for every day and every bit of progress. “The Ronald McDonald House gave us more than a room,” she says. “It gave us hope, family, and the strength to keep going.”

For Nicole and Jailyn, Omaha will always be a second home—a place where compassion met courage, and where a community came together to help a little girl heal.

You can help families like Jailyn’s stay close during medical crises.
Visit rmhcomaha.org to make a donation or learn more about how your support changes lives.