Can This Really Be Happening!?

We were so close to getting Olivia home. On Wednesday I got the call that Olivia was doing extremely well and they were set to discharge us the following Monday. I was to begin training on how to insert her feeding tube, give her meds, etc. when Thursday night she spiked a fever of 102.4. On Friday blood cultures confirmed she has bacteria in her blood causing her a serious infection. They treated with antibiotics immediately but due to several blood cultures she became very anemic also and yesterday after returning from lunch I found her hooked up to more monitors and was told she would need a blood transfusion. She was becoming pretty weak and they hope the boost from the blood will help her fight the infection better. Today she is doing much better. She is smiling and more alert. The past two days have not been Olivia. I'm glad to have her back. Needless to say I'm not sure where we go from here, how long it will take for the infection to clear, when she will be able to take feedings again. Home is a distant thought once again.

THANK YOU!

We want to thank everyone who has helped us since Olivia's birth and during her stay in the hospital. So many have been so generous to us in numerous ways: watching Addison whenever we needed, bringing care packages to the hospital, cooking meals, giving us gift cards, clothes and blankets for Olivia, donating items for the craft fair fundraiser, organizing fundraisers, making food for the fundraisers, running in Olivia's honor, money toward medical expenses and a tremendous amount of prayers. Without your love and support I'm not sure how we would have made it.

Special thanks to:
My cousin Missy for organizing the Craft Fair Fundraiser and the Sloppy Joe Feed in Palisade.
Willow Ridge Assisted Living of McCook for raising funds for Olivia.
Co-worker Stacie Higgins and Tammi Thompson of Nebraska City, running distance races in Omaha & Lincoln in Olivia's honor, collecting pledges as they train and race.

The letter below was at fundraising events to thank everyone as we were unable to personally attend, it also helps explain Olivia's condition and our hope to be home very soon!

On May 7, 2010 Olivia Renae Sherman joined us 6 weeks premature due to a blockage in her intestines, a common problem in Cystic Fibrosis babies. She underwent surgery at Children's Hospital in Omaha that evening, removing a significant amount of dead instestine and undergoing several blood transfusions. On May 12th Olivia was officially diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that causes mucus to build up and clog organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. When mucus clogs the lungs, it can make breathing very difficult. The thick mucus causes bacteria, or germs, to get stuck in the airways, which causes inflammation or swelling and infections that lead to lung damage. To prevent this from happening Olivia began chest compression treatments and breathing treatments within 2 weeks after her birth, which will continue all her life. These treatments are done a minimum of 2 times a day for about 40 minutes to help clear her airways and break that mucus, preventing any infection.

Mucus also blocks the digestive tract and pancreas. The mucus stops digestive enzymes from getting to the intestines. The body needs these enzymes to break down food, which provides important nutrients to help her grow and stay healthy. Olivia will need to replace these enzymes with medicine taken with every meal and snack, which helps to digest food and get proper nutrition.

Olivia's continues to recover at Children's Hospital from her bowel surgery. Her bowels are slowly adapting to where she is able to take more food each day and has begun to show steady weight gain, which is significant for any baby with CF. After being in the NICU nearly 8 weeks Olivia moved on June 29th to the hospital floor to continue her recovery.

We are so appreciative to everyone who has helped us during this time and for all your thoughts and prayers. We are very blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives! Thank you!

The Sherman Family-Vanessa, Scott, Addison & Olivia

Suh for CF

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100722/NEWS01/100729879

http://www.nebraskagolfclassic.com/ChairmansWelcome.asp

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well Olivia had been doing really well for nearly two weeks, no stops in feeds, no blood in stools but yesterday that changed. The blood in the stool was back so we stopped feedings but today we are back on food and doing well. She has not gained much weight for awhile but is maintaining around 7 lbs so at least she's not losing a significant amount of weight. She is very smiley and just loves for Addison to talk to her.

Aunt "Brini" came up to visit and we took Addi to the Children's Museum to see Clifford.

Daddy came up that Sunday and we went to Chuck E Cheese where Addison had a blast and was so excited to meet him! I've never seen her so excited!

On Monday Cousin Dave, Jack and Ellison came to visit. Jack showed Olivia lots of silly faces to get her to smile. It was so very cute and I got to spend some time with Ellison and see her for the first time!

My mom came up this week to spend some time with Olivia so she got to do her treatment too. Of course Olivia likes to offer her help a lot!

I have been slowly transitioning back into work mode trying to get in to the office a few times each week and to be home in the evenings with Addison more. It is very tough trying to be in so many places at once but somehow it is working although I do think I am losing my mind sometimes. I just keep reminding myself that this is all just temporary. Life will get normal again or a new normal anyway.

Exciting 4th!

Addison had a very exciting 4th of July weekend. We lit off fireworks at Grandpa Bruce's on Friday and Sunday she got to see her baby sister. She kept saying "I hold my baby sister momma." She just loves her. She was showing Olivia all kinds of things and just talking away. She also had to sing, "You Are My Sunshine," to her.

We were moved again to a new hospital room on another floor but Olivia is doing well. She is less anemic so there is no longer much concern for another blood transfusion. We hope to start oral feeds again tomorrow to see how she does. They feel her body has rested enough and it's time to push the feeds again to see how well she will tolerate them this round. I believe this is our 6th attempt so let's hope it works. I've heard other moms say it was like someone flipped a switch and their child made a complete turnaround and they were on their way home. I really hope that day is just around the corner. I can't wait to be home with Addison and Olivia together!