On March 30, 2008 we welcomed our fraternal girl twins Kella and Kierstyn to the world at 33 weeks when they were born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix.

Kella spent 6 months off and on her first year as an inpatient at St. Josephs.

During this time Kella was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, reactive airway disease, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), severe GERD, a chromosome deletion disorder, allergies and the biggest one, sever FTT which resulted in g tube surgery for nutrition  and a fundoplication to prevent vomiting. At age 1 Kella still was only 10 pounds, she also endured her worst setback from Rotavirus which landed her in the PICU severely dehydrated and kidneys failing.

Fast forward two years from her last hospital stay and at almost three she is an adorable, feisty little fighter who looks 100% healthy at 29 pounds. Kella does still see eight doctors in Phoenix which requires us to still travel often for appointments and testing. She continues to battle things from the first year but we are now in maintenance mode and making progress. A few months ago we even removed her g tube.

Kierstyn has been very fortunate to have been hospitalized for a month in the NICU. She was born with Downs Syndrome, polycystic kidneys, a chromosome deletion disorder, mild to moderate hearing loss, and a small heart PDA closed on its own. She has had no problems with her kidneys, two sets of ear tubes and adenoids removed and a future tonsillectomy, but she is doing amazing. Kierstyn has been such a blessing to everyone around her as our little social butterfly!

I think everything about the Ronald McDonald House is outstanding. Being that we have no family in Phoenix and could not afford something like a hotel during those long stays and even our shorter stays – we feel so blessed. The staff are friendly and you get to the know them quick. My girls even talk about Smokey (the House cat) when we aren’t at RMH, we even have a picture of him on our cell phone. My favorite part of RMH is seeing the friendly faces of the staff after a hard day and knowing they genuinely care. My twins love all the snacks and food they only get when they are at the House and the volunteers who give them lots of attention.

Thank you RMHC for truly being our home away from home, we have been blessed by this organization and the kindness of so many.

Written by Erin (Kella & Kierstyn's mother.)

The Fiske Family is from Prescott, AZ and the twins are two of 6 children.