Piano O

Olivia has Pseudo Obstruction.
It is a motility disorder which in turn requires her to have a central line catheter going to her heart so she can receive daily an IV solution (TPN) filled with the needed nutrients.


Olivia on her Daddy's shoulders Easter 2002--a week before her surgery.

Thankfully she has a "G-Tube" which she can vent out the contents if her tummy hurts. She also has a "J-tube" to vent her small intestine. Myopathic Pseudo Obstruction can also affect the bladder; Olivia needs to be cath during the day and we put in an "overnight cath" as well. Because she no longer has a colon she has an ileostomy.



Olivia was diagnosed just days before her 2nd birthday and had her life giving surgery 2 days after her 2nd birthday.




Olivia at home after her surgery, May 2002.

If Olivia were not to have her "bags" attached to her G or J tubes or her backpack on with fluids or TPN running--she would look and act (for the most part!) like a typical almost 8 year old.

She loves to KNIT, sew, DRAW, play with her brother, SING, dance, make things, play with her bunnies and kitties--she loves math!

Olivia's brother David is 9 years old. He and Olivia are best friends. He loves to read, LEGO, CUB SCOUTS, swim, history, science. . .


David and Olivia on the Great Journey Adventure of 2008!

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D and O with Cousin Carolyn!

Olivia with her Laura

Journal

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 0:49 AM CST

Monday was a good day. A big, long very good day.

We accomplished all that was on the plan and then some.

The pressing on of life has been very present to me. Several people have spoken or emailed to this subject which has renewed the protection of home. Noise of all the opportunities available can be frustrating for me.

Living with "younger" kiddos and being "older" tends put a different perspective on what is important. Friends with children who are teens, growing out of the nest or gone--bring to mind how quickly this time passes. How important the bond of family and the relationship between siblings are--something I know very well and am thankful that God has preserved this unique gift.

Then parents grow old and require major "adjustments"; we love them and need them yet time continues to pass.

Eternity! SHOUTS of praises!

God is reopening hearts.

Tonight after scouts, soup and family discussions--I ran down to the grocery store.

Grocery shopping late at night is my favorite time. I cranked up Kevin Maxx and Jars of Clay's Good Monsters while dancing through the produce. Feeling incredibly blessed to have such a variety of meat from which to choose. Good food and an abundance of it. Having the time and frame of mind to research new items which in the speed of most shopping days isn't feesble.

Then, stopping and really looking around at the folks there late at night. All seemed so sad, poor, hurting. If Jesus had been born on earth during our lifetime; He would have gone to the late night grocery shopping people. They in their (and I am one of them) need of Him were beautiful--only as He could see them (us).

And I am brought back to His beautiful feet.

Olivia is doing so well physically--I still stand in AWE of how we are all here.


In Latin today vita was a vocabulary word.

Vita means life.

Olivia said, when the nurse takes my blood pressure, pulse and. . .temperature--vitals.

We joked about putting a new fluid ball on during David's violin lesson to see what his teacher would do--so, she is really embracing--being a person with a central line--:)

Scouts tonight and I'm doing the artist badge with the Webelos. First of all, we had so much fun doing a crash course in art! David's portfolio is a riot, something about being good looking and smart--I think he got that from our readind about da Vinci today. Anyway, the boys worked hard. Olivia flits around helping--she is my little shadow. I love how our friends rejoice with us by seeing Olivia being Olivia--well, happy, full of energy. It makes my heart leap for joy.

Joy.

Continued prayers for Laura and Grandma Lodgie. We have a few other friends struggling as well.

To JESUS

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: HOME

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
www.cincinnatichildrens.org (Most childrens hospitals have E-cards to send to the children--check out the websites of the hospital)
Cincinnati, OHIO
1-800-344-2462

Links:

E-mail Author: sdekold@mac.com