Angels For Allison
Donation protected
Our deepest gratitude & thanks to those who've helped, prayed for & been a support to The Gilmore Family in the last couple weeks!
Allison needs Angels more so now than ever before...her journey is just beginning.
The Story
Allison has been sick off & on since October 2018 with what we were told was different colds, coughs, flu bugs and then asthma. She went from being a spicy, boisterous, talkative 1.5 year old to barely being able to move, talk. Her breathing was always labored, energy & spirits low (we now know, her body was prioritizing survival of her organs & only energy was being put toward those critical functions)
She's been in and out of the ER, to her pediatrician numerous times... given an incorrect Asthma diagnosis, told "her lungs are clear" & to continue giving her an inhaler (even though her blood oxygen levels were dangerously low).
"Everything is fine," was the diagnosis & Jessica was made to feel like she was being over-the-top for worrying about her health.
Her lips started turning blue & it was obvious to her parents something was EXTREMELY WRONG, even when the pediatrician said there wasn't.
Thankfully, Jessica's "mother's intuition" knew to keep pressing for answers and took her to an Allergist to continue investigating. Within the 1st 5 minutes of that 45 min appointment, the Allergist knew there was something VERY WRONG & gave Jessica the next steps to get Allison's heart looked at, something was DANGEROUSLY OFF.
Wednesday, April 24th:
Jessica took Allison to the ER with blue lips & labored breathing. They IMMEDIATELY alerted a CODE BLUE. It's been a whirlwind since, to say the least.
After a heart failure diagnosis was given to 22 month old Allison, she & mom were air-lifted in the middle of the night to UCSF Benioff Hospital.
There were several days of unknown, testing & ruling things out with one constant: THIS IS LIFE-CHANGING, AT BEST. Doctors let the family know this is like a cancer diagnosis.
Friday, April 26:
Allison was put under sedation to do a heart catheterization procedure . The right side of her heart was 3x's larger than the left & working SO hard to get blood into her lungs. While in there, the doctors made a call to open up a pathway between the chambers to relieve pressure on her right side.
Diagnosis at last: Allison has been diagnosed with a rare disease, Pulmonary Hypertension.
She was started on several drugs to help relax her little lung arteries & veins so blood flows from the heart more easily to them & is on Oxygen 24/7.
Tuesday, April 30:
After a couple days on her meds, Allison started to play peek-a-boo & giggle again. (Even giggling is hard work & she is learning to self-regulate when it pushes her over the edge of what her heart/lungs can manage)
Her Team at UCSF has been nothing short of amazing and their help & care has been such a blessing to the family, especially mom (Jessica) who hasn't left her side yet & has been SO STRONG. Amidst everything Jessica has said she feels AT PEACE & TRUSTS GOD'S PLAN.
May 4th:
Allie is still in the Cardiac ICU & finally up to her full doses of medications. The drs are continuing to monitor her & allowing her lungs & heart time before removing Nitric Oxide & lowering her oxygen.
May 7th:
Yesterday, Allie had a blood transfusion to see if they can relieve her still very stressed heart. Her stats aren't stabilizing as they'd like to see.
We are still in a very precarious "wait & see" time with her heart.
May 9
From Mama -- "Allison is doing so much better. Thank you God, family and friends for all of the prayers and support. She is responding well to treatment and we may be home in a few days."
The Drs are looking to release Allie Friday (tomorrow), fingers & toes crossed. And then the next phase of her journey begins at home!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
She has been such a light & sweet girl through the whole process and it's no question why because as she gets her medicines or a procedure, her momma always whispers, "You are strong, you are brave, you are smart, you are kind," in her ear...
(I'm not crying, you're crying )
Craig (Dad) is continuing to hold down the fort at home with her other siblings, Noah (12) and Lauren (5), which has had its own strength to be away & maintaining whatever sense of normalcy for the kids that he can.
It has been so much for her entire family to go through in such a short time. Their strength & resilience in the face of family crisis has been more than I could imagine possible & trust there's a divine reason Allison chose this family to be hers.
While there is a deep sigh of relief to have an answer, this also changes both her & the entire family's course of life.
They are starting a new chapter & the road is unknown.
Treatment & The Future
Allie could be released from the Cardiac ICU mid next week, FINGERS CROSSED.
Allie will be on a 24/7 medication that requires special training, handling & is worn like a pager on her all the time. She also will require oxygen, possibly forever.
We are unsure of the far off future, what that looks like at this time & are focusing on life 1 day at a time. This is just the beginning of a long road.
Their Need:
There are medical expenses mounting and the very real issues of her constant care with 2 working parents. What we know now is Jessica's job as an educator doesn't include benefits of The Paid Family Leave Act, so in addition to figuring out how to care for Allie medically, Jessica & Craig have a lot of unknown financial variables to face. They've always previously been a 2 income household to raise their 3 children & what the future looks like with Allison's care being 24/7/365 is another unknown.
This is all so new & fresh, they're just at the start of what their New Normal will look like.
We realize there are so many of you who want to help in any way you can, to pray, to call the family, to cook meals, bring toys or help with her siblings, Noah & Lauren, & we are SO GRATEFUL to each and every one of you!
We're asking for continued prayers (we truly believe prayer changes things), to spread the word of this campaign to your friends/family/coworkers & to give here, if you feel touched by her story.
The funds will go toward her hospital bills, medications, supplies, clothing that can be worn/modified to wear with her new device, the set up of a portion of their home designated to her treatments, & to offset loss of income.
We are grateful to anyone who wants to support & become an Angel For Allison.
Love,
Auntie Sarah (on behalf of The Gilmore Family)
Allison needs Angels more so now than ever before...her journey is just beginning.
The Story
Allison has been sick off & on since October 2018 with what we were told was different colds, coughs, flu bugs and then asthma. She went from being a spicy, boisterous, talkative 1.5 year old to barely being able to move, talk. Her breathing was always labored, energy & spirits low (we now know, her body was prioritizing survival of her organs & only energy was being put toward those critical functions)
She's been in and out of the ER, to her pediatrician numerous times... given an incorrect Asthma diagnosis, told "her lungs are clear" & to continue giving her an inhaler (even though her blood oxygen levels were dangerously low).
"Everything is fine," was the diagnosis & Jessica was made to feel like she was being over-the-top for worrying about her health.
Her lips started turning blue & it was obvious to her parents something was EXTREMELY WRONG, even when the pediatrician said there wasn't.
Thankfully, Jessica's "mother's intuition" knew to keep pressing for answers and took her to an Allergist to continue investigating. Within the 1st 5 minutes of that 45 min appointment, the Allergist knew there was something VERY WRONG & gave Jessica the next steps to get Allison's heart looked at, something was DANGEROUSLY OFF.
Wednesday, April 24th:
Jessica took Allison to the ER with blue lips & labored breathing. They IMMEDIATELY alerted a CODE BLUE. It's been a whirlwind since, to say the least.
After a heart failure diagnosis was given to 22 month old Allison, she & mom were air-lifted in the middle of the night to UCSF Benioff Hospital.
There were several days of unknown, testing & ruling things out with one constant: THIS IS LIFE-CHANGING, AT BEST. Doctors let the family know this is like a cancer diagnosis.
Friday, April 26:
Allison was put under sedation to do a heart catheterization procedure . The right side of her heart was 3x's larger than the left & working SO hard to get blood into her lungs. While in there, the doctors made a call to open up a pathway between the chambers to relieve pressure on her right side.
Diagnosis at last: Allison has been diagnosed with a rare disease, Pulmonary Hypertension.
She was started on several drugs to help relax her little lung arteries & veins so blood flows from the heart more easily to them & is on Oxygen 24/7.
Tuesday, April 30:
After a couple days on her meds, Allison started to play peek-a-boo & giggle again. (Even giggling is hard work & she is learning to self-regulate when it pushes her over the edge of what her heart/lungs can manage)
Her Team at UCSF has been nothing short of amazing and their help & care has been such a blessing to the family, especially mom (Jessica) who hasn't left her side yet & has been SO STRONG. Amidst everything Jessica has said she feels AT PEACE & TRUSTS GOD'S PLAN.
May 4th:
Allie is still in the Cardiac ICU & finally up to her full doses of medications. The drs are continuing to monitor her & allowing her lungs & heart time before removing Nitric Oxide & lowering her oxygen.
May 7th:
Yesterday, Allie had a blood transfusion to see if they can relieve her still very stressed heart. Her stats aren't stabilizing as they'd like to see.
We are still in a very precarious "wait & see" time with her heart.
May 9
From Mama -- "Allison is doing so much better. Thank you God, family and friends for all of the prayers and support. She is responding well to treatment and we may be home in a few days."
The Drs are looking to release Allie Friday (tomorrow), fingers & toes crossed. And then the next phase of her journey begins at home!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
She has been such a light & sweet girl through the whole process and it's no question why because as she gets her medicines or a procedure, her momma always whispers, "You are strong, you are brave, you are smart, you are kind," in her ear...
(I'm not crying, you're crying )
Craig (Dad) is continuing to hold down the fort at home with her other siblings, Noah (12) and Lauren (5), which has had its own strength to be away & maintaining whatever sense of normalcy for the kids that he can.
It has been so much for her entire family to go through in such a short time. Their strength & resilience in the face of family crisis has been more than I could imagine possible & trust there's a divine reason Allison chose this family to be hers.
While there is a deep sigh of relief to have an answer, this also changes both her & the entire family's course of life.
They are starting a new chapter & the road is unknown.
Treatment & The Future
Allie could be released from the Cardiac ICU mid next week, FINGERS CROSSED.
Allie will be on a 24/7 medication that requires special training, handling & is worn like a pager on her all the time. She also will require oxygen, possibly forever.
We are unsure of the far off future, what that looks like at this time & are focusing on life 1 day at a time. This is just the beginning of a long road.
Their Need:
There are medical expenses mounting and the very real issues of her constant care with 2 working parents. What we know now is Jessica's job as an educator doesn't include benefits of The Paid Family Leave Act, so in addition to figuring out how to care for Allie medically, Jessica & Craig have a lot of unknown financial variables to face. They've always previously been a 2 income household to raise their 3 children & what the future looks like with Allison's care being 24/7/365 is another unknown.
This is all so new & fresh, they're just at the start of what their New Normal will look like.
We realize there are so many of you who want to help in any way you can, to pray, to call the family, to cook meals, bring toys or help with her siblings, Noah & Lauren, & we are SO GRATEFUL to each and every one of you!
We're asking for continued prayers (we truly believe prayer changes things), to spread the word of this campaign to your friends/family/coworkers & to give here, if you feel touched by her story.
The funds will go toward her hospital bills, medications, supplies, clothing that can be worn/modified to wear with her new device, the set up of a portion of their home designated to her treatments, & to offset loss of income.
We are grateful to anyone who wants to support & become an Angel For Allison.
Love,
Auntie Sarah (on behalf of The Gilmore Family)
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Peale
Organizer
Roseville, CA
Jessica Gilmore
Beneficiary
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