Mikayla Matthews is leaving Utah behind in hopes of finding relief from her ongoing battle with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star documented her journey to Hawaii in an April 29 Instagram video, captioning it, “Travel with me to heal my skin.”
“It’s finally time to tell you guys where I’m moving away,” she said in the clip, revealing her destination. “We’re going to Hawaii.”
Matthews, 26, traveled with two of her four children — Beckham, 8, Haven, 6, Tommie, 4, and Lottie, 9 months — whom she shares with estranged husband Jace Terry. Despite experiencing multiple skin flare-ups during the flight, she remained optimistic, writing, “I’m just so excited to be here. Positive vibes.”
In the post’s caption, she added, “Officially starting the new chapter. In the most beautiful place how STUNNING is this resort!?! @thewestinmaui.”
While she didn’t specify how long she plans to stay, Matthews expressed gratitude for the opportunity to focus on her health. In a separate video shared the same day, she tearfully said, “I think every single day how grateful I am to be in the position that I’m in. The stress of having to heal your body and having to worry about taking care of your kids or paying your bills — it’s just so overwhelming.”
Matthews first opened up about her CIRS diagnosis in March, describing the condition as “all consuming.” In an Instagram Story, she wrote, “I'm genuinely just barely surviving. Chronic illness is all consuming and I haven't been able to show up as the mom I want to be for the last couple years. I just want to feel like myself again.”
She explained that CIRS is triggered by prolonged exposure to toxins like mold. “This condition has stolen literally everything from me,” she shared. “I had like a year and half where I couldn't look people in the eyes. I felt like if I didn't look them in the eyes then they couldn't see my skin. It's something I'm still working on.”