Olivia’s Army: A fight against EoE

In June of 2017 Olivia was born, she was a tiny little baby, but all and all she was healthy.

As she got older we started getting concerned about her weight gain and her getting sick and vomiting daily. It didn’t matter how much/little she ate or how long afterwards, whether it was 5 minutes or 2 hours, Olivia would get sick and vomit almost all of what she had taken in.

Then at 6 months old Olivia began to lose weight and no one could tell us why.

In April of 2018, at 10 months old, she wasnt even on the growth chart and was diagnosed as failure to thrive. After a week long hospitalization and every GI test performed, we were sent home with no answers.

We were referred to a genetics doctor who ran dozens of test and still no answer. They even sent lab work off to Baylor University in TX and nothing definite.

Then After 18 long months  watching our little girl continuously struggle her pediatrician referred us to Cincinnatti Children’s Hospital. Olivia was the. diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).

EoE is a very complicated and complex disease that depletes the body of nutrients necessary for proper development and physical growth, In addition the symptoms associated with this disease are very painful. It also have many many food allergies associated with it. There is no cure and she will battle this disease for the rest of her life. Treatment options are limited as this disease is rare and only been around as long as others.

Every 90 days she is put under for Scopes and testing. Patients develop severe damage to their digestive tracts.

Due to lack of nourishment caused from multiple food allergies and intolerance to many foods Olivia must rely on a Rx grade formula through a feeding tube for her nutrition. 

Insurance will not cover her formula because they say this is an exclusion from our benefits plan. She has to have special formula and is the only option she has.

She also requires special supplies that are not covered by her insurance or offered through the medical supply company.

But Olivia won’t let EoE keep her down. She still finds ways to lighten the mood and push throug.

Both parents have to miss a lot of work when she has an episode to help care for her.

She recently she had a surgery to put in a more permanent tube in her stomach. As well as her tonsils and adenoids taken out, as they are obstructing her airways causing her to have apnea. The continuous medical bills, cost and unpaid days off cause a huge financial strain. But with every scope and doctors appointment it put EoE one step closer to being cured. 

EoE does not have a blanket treatment and effects everyone diagnosed in different ways, and each treatment method follows different paths. Dueto Olivia’s many food allergies she can’t even follow the general elemental diet that is normally the first step.

Every dollar raised in Olivia’s Army GoFundMe campaign goes towards her supplies, formula and medical bills. The full goal of 8,000 isn’t just for Olivia. 25% of the money raised will go towards EoE research at Cincinnati Children’s hospital once the campaign ends. Anything raised over the 8,000 will be given on top of it. So please share and join Olivia’s Army in the Battle against EoE