Grace K: Smiles Through Strength and Healing
Some children enter the world and immediately capture hearts. Grace K is one of those children — not just for her sweet smile, but for her courage, resilience, and the strength she has shown in the face of unimaginable challenges. Her journey has been long, complex, and at times overwhelming, yet through it all, Grace continues to radiate joy and hope.
A Life-Saving Transplant
On July 23rd, 2025, Grace underwent a life-saving liver transplant. The procedure was not only critical for her survival but also a testament to the remarkable skill of her medical team and the strength of her tiny body. For her family, the day was a mixture of fear, hope, and faith. They watched as surgeons worked tirelessly to replace her damaged liver and remove the remnants of cancer that had infiltrated her abdomen.
By August 5th, Grace was discharged from the hospital. Her parents, who had spent weeks in the sterile halls of medical facilities, finally brought their little girl home to Kansas City to continue her recovery. Even in the face of the trauma she had endured, Grace was smiling. It is hard to fathom how much she has been through at such a young age, and yet her spirit remains bright.
Life After Discharge
Returning home from the hospital did not mean the journey was over. Grace’s new reality involves frequent medical check-ins, meticulous medication routines, and constant vigilance. For the next several weeks, she will remain local for labs twice a week and clinic visits twice a week. Each test and visit is essential for monitoring her recovery and ensuring her new liver is functioning properly.
At discharge, Grace began a regimen of twelve new medications. Among these, her anti-rejection medication is the most critical, designed to prevent her body from rejecting her new liver. Her parents have already experienced the challenges of adjusting her dosages to keep her levels in range. At one point, her levels were high, and Grace was not feeling well — shaky, uncomfortable, and not her usual playful self. Thankfully, with careful monitoring, she is now feeling much better, her energy returning and her smile brightening once again.
Reassuring Pathology Results
Perhaps one of the most significant moments in recent weeks came with her pathology report. The tumor in her liver, along with the nodules scattered throughout her abdominal cavity, were all found to be dead cancer tissue. This was an affirmation that the chemotherapy she had undergone prior to surgery was effective. For Grace’s family, it was a moment of relief — proof that the treatment had worked and that the journey, while not over, was moving in the right direction.
Because the chemotherapy was effective, the next two rounds will remain the same. Yet, Grace’s parents know that caution is still necessary. The rupture of the tumor from the liver into her abdomen has been a source of worry. Every day, they pray that the surgeon successfully removed all remaining cancerous tissue and that the ongoing chemotherapy will eliminate any lingering cells. Even after treatment ends, Grace will require extra monitoring to ensure no recurrence.
Adjusting to a New Routine
Life in Kansas City is a delicate balance between rest, care, and the normalcy every child deserves. Grace is immunocompromised, meaning exposure to illness could be dangerous. Therefore, her adventures outside the home are limited. Yet, within the safety of their home, Grace’s days are filled with activity, laughter, and love.
She spends time coloring, playing with her kitchen set, soaking up sunshine on the deck, snuggling with her baby brother Raylan, and watching Moana on repeat. Each activity brings a sense of normalcy and joy to a life that has been dominated by hospitals, medications, and treatments.
Family connections have also played a vital role in her emotional well-being. This past week, her siblings Gabe and Rylee joined them in Kansas City. Having the family together, under one roof, brought immense joy and comfort. Every hug, laugh, and shared moment was cherished, and her parents’ hearts were full witnessing their daughter’s happiness.
Upcoming Treatments
Despite the progress, Grace’s journey is not complete. She will start her fifth round of chemotherapy on August 15th in Kansas City. The hope is that she can complete her sixth and final round back in Des Moines, but that will depend on how her body and her new liver respond.
Her follow-up care is comprehensive. For the first eight weeks post-transplant, labs will be done twice a week. Following that, she will have weekly labs for six months, along with regular visits to her liver team. This careful monitoring ensures that any signs of complications or rejection are caught early and managed effectively.
Strength and Resilience
Through it all, Grace has displayed remarkable strength and resilience. She has endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and the uncertainty of serious illness, yet her spirit remains unbroken. Her smiles and giggles are a reminder to all who see her that courage comes in many forms.
Her family marvels at her ability to adapt, recover, and maintain her cheerful demeanor. Even on difficult days, Grace brings light to the room. Her laughter, curiosity, and playful energy remind everyone that she is more than her illness — she is a child who deserves joy, care, and every opportunity to thrive.
Hope on the Horizon
Grace’s parents are beginning to see the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. They have survived some of the hardest days, weeks, and months of their lives. Now, instead of focusing solely on surgeries and chemotherapy, they can look forward to follow-up visits and tests with cautious optimism.
The journey ahead still requires diligence, prayer, and careful attention. But for the first time in a long while, there is a sense of hope that healing is progressing, that complications are manageable, and that Grace can continue to grow and thrive.
A Family United
Family has been central to Grace’s recovery. From the daily care her parents provide, to the joy of her siblings being nearby, the love surrounding Grace is palpable. Even simple acts, like snuggling with her baby brother Raylan or watching movies together, are filled with meaning. Each shared moment strengthens her, comforts her, and reminds her family why they continue to fight for her every day.
Her mother reflects, “Grace is the strongest, most resilient little girl. She’s handled every twist and turn of this journey with courage. Her smiles and giggles light up the room—and every space she’s in becomes brighter because of her.”
The Power of Prayer and Community
Throughout this journey, Grace’s family has leaned heavily on prayer and community support. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers have offered encouragement, meals, and countless prayers. Each prayer carries hope, comfort, and strength not just for Grace but for her entire family.
As Grace continues to heal and face the next steps in her treatment, her parents ask for continued prayers — for her recovery, for her strength, and for her happiness. Every moment of healing, every smile, every laugh is strengthened by the support of those who care.
Closing Reflections
Grace K’s journey is a testament to courage, resilience, and hope. She has faced challenges that would overwhelm even adults, yet she continues to smile, to laugh, and to bring joy to those around her.
Her family celebrates every milestone, every small victory, and every day of progress. From surviving life-saving surgery to receiving good pathology results, Grace has shown that strength comes in both big victories and quiet, everyday moments.
Her story is ongoing, filled with hope for the future and gratitude for each moment of recovery. And through it all, one truth remains clear: Grace’s heart — and her spirit — are as remarkable as the little girl herself.
