Olivia T.
New York
Birth Date - June 13, 2014
Diagnosis - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Olivia's Story
Olivia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on November 30, 2017. This came after 8 weeks of on and off illness, fevers, pale skin, weight loss, night sweats, fatigue. I decided to demand blood work. After being argued with for quite some time, they did test. Preliminary results showed high white blood cells and low red blood cells, but they still felt it was just viral. The next morning the call came that they found worrisome cell mutations and we should head to the ER right away. We took her in, and hours later got the devastating news that we were expecting ... "ALL".
We have had a 17 day hospital stay where she underwent, spinal taps, bone marrow tests, xrays and countless blood tests. Chemo has been intense so far. We just started phase 2. She has handled treatment well medically but is now terrified of "strangers". She thinks everyone wants to "stick her skin". She used to love bandaids and putting them on her babies, We now have to hide anything sticky because she is so scared it will be stuck to her like the multiple IVs were.
Changing her clothes and bathing her is also very challenging because she is terrified to see her port site. This whole experience ... although this is just the beginning ... has scarred her and has affected all of us. Olivia will be in treatment for three years total.
"Olivia uses her quilt ALL the time. She loves it!! It's such a beautiful piece of art, and we're honored to have it."
