A 10-year-old girl is facing brain surgery in just days after suffering an alarming 37 seizures in a single 12-hour period, leaving her mother preparing for a six-hour emergency drive to the hospital.

Kaylie has lived with significant medical challenges since birth, including epilepsy, hydrocephalus and a PIK3CA gene mutation. Her family has spent years navigating appointments, scans and treatments while doing everything possible to help their daughter.

Because PIK3CA-related conditions can sometimes be associated with tumors, Kaylie had regular imaging when she was younger. An MRI in October showed something doctors initially believed might have been a glitch, and as Kaylie grew older, her scans became less frequent.

But her mother, Tammy Hammond, could not shake the feeling that something needed another look.

Earlier this year, Tammy requested another MRI. When Kaylie finally had the scan in June, the results revealed a tumor in her cerebellum.

Doctors scheduled brain surgery for Monday, August 24, with the goal of removing it.

Then, just days before the planned operation, another frightening challenge emerged.

Kaylie’s seizures suddenly became much more frequent. On the worst day, she experienced 37 seizures within only 12 hours.

Her medication was given, and Tammy waited anxiously, hoping it would begin to settle the seizures. At the same time, she started packing their bags in case Kaylie needed to be taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, roughly six hours away, before the scheduled surgery.

For a mother, the uncertainty is almost impossible to put into words — watching her child struggle while knowing that the hospital where she is due to undergo major surgery is still hours away.

“I’ve watched Kaylie fight through so much already,” Tammy shared. “As her mom, you want to be able to take all of this away from her, but you can’t. All you can do is stay beside her and keep hoping.”

Despite everything, Tammy says Kaylie continues to show remarkable strength.

“She’s been through so much in her ten years, and somehow she keeps going. She’s my little fighter, and I’m so proud of her.”

Tammy reached out for prayers after seeing how many people had supported other families through difficult moments.

“I’ve seen so many on your page praying for those who need it, and right now Kaylie really needs them,” she said.

Now, her family is hoping for a few peaceful days before surgery — time for Kaylie’s body to rest and regain some strength.

They are asking people to keep Kaylie in their thoughts and prayers, hoping her seizures settle, that she reaches surgery safely and that her medical team can successfully complete the procedure.

For Tammy, the coming days will be filled with fear, hope and waiting.

But above all, she wants her daughter to know one thing: she will never face this journey alone.

“Right now, we’re just taking it one moment at a time,” Tammy said. “We are scared, but we’re holding onto hope for our girl.”