The Chronic Illness: CIRS
Mikayla Matthews suffers from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), an innate immune dysregulation involving a range of symptoms that simultaneously affect multiple organ systems. Her condition was triggered by prolonged mold exposure following breast implant surgery in March 2023. Matthews has been notably transparent about her diagnosis on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, raising awareness about this often-overlooked condition. She is still undergoing testing to identify the full extent of her illness, having recently completed a biopsy and planning to visit a cancer institute for blood cancer testing.
Why Hawaii: The Geography of Healing
After returning to Utah from a month-long trip to California and Costa Rica, Matthews experienced immediate and traumatic skin flare-ups. She described feeling "a little more normal without these flares" while away and felt she was "just surviving" back home in Utah, whereas she was actually "living" in other locations. A week after returning to Utah, she decided to move to Hawaii, captioning an Instagram video "Travel with me to heal my skin." The move represents her ongoing search for geographic relief, as she discovered that her body responds better away from her home environment.
Emotional Impact and Personal Toll
Matthews has been emotionally candid about how her chronic illness has impacted her life. She broke down in tears multiple times on April 29 while discussing her condition, describing her skin flare-ups as intensely traumatic. She has stated that her condition has "completely stripped me of so much happiness, of so much time with my kids that I'm never going to get back." The emotional burden is compounded by her role as a mother of four and her ongoing separation from husband Jace Terry.
Treatment Journey and Future Plans
Matthews has documented her health struggles publicly, stating she hasn't found definitive answers yet despite extensive testing. Beyond her Hawaii stay, she has booked a detox retreat in Switzerland or Europe as part of her healing strategy. In a gesture of compassion, she announced plans to bring a struggling follower along to the European detox retreat and cover their flight and treatment costs, acknowledging her financial privilege while recognizing that many battling chronic illness cannot afford such interventions.
Family and Logistics
Matthews took two of her four children with her to Hawaii, documenting the process of packing for the move. She shared that an oversized suitcase at the airport cost her $200. Despite her separation from husband Jace Terry, which was announced during season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in March, the couple spent time together as a family in California in April before her Hawaii move. 
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