Support Olive Posey and family

Olive Posey and her daddy are two of the strongest people I know! I’d love to share their story with you!

 

Olive has an incredible story of strength already! At 19 weeks pregnant I went to an appointment for an anatomy scan! I was so excited to see her look like a baby and not just a bean! The Dr returned with the technician after looking over the scan. My heart dropped. I knew the dr coming in meant something was wrong. Unfortunately as I sat there awaiting whatever was coming next, I sat alone. Due to COVID, Dan was unable to attend this appointment. I gripped the chair below me and took a deep breath. What was it? Was she not breathing? Had I lost my baby? Was she in there but not going to make it? An endless list formed in a matter of moments! The dr began, “Your baby looks healthy over all, all fingers and all toes are there. I’m afraid when we were looking at the heart however, there is something not developing the way we would like to see. I’ve done this for a long time and I’m fairly confident, your child will be born with a heart defect.” Making the call to Dan on the way home was painful, going to the rushed appointments and being asked if we wanted to terminate our pregnancy was painful, the not knowing what was to come was painful but I grew this instant bond with our little one in that moment! After tests and many ultrasounds we had some answers. Our home birth plan was out the window but the future looked less grim as the days past. Our Olive had little chance of other complications and as long as she was in my belly she would continue to thrive and grow. The Dr.s expected she would even thrive after birth, but in time her heart would require open heart surgery! On January 29th, 2021, Dan and I welcomed our sweet bundle of joy into the world! The labor was long and tested my strength over and over. After 36 hours our little fighter made her way into our arms. I watched as her daddy melted and fell in love. Every day that has fallowed I have witnessed the greatness of this little person! Anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting Olive knows just how fearless, determined and joyful she is. Now that she is approaching the one year mark, we have so many more answers. Olive is set to have her surgery within the next month or two. At which time she will go to Boston and stay for a period of time. She will return home and be in recovery mode for about 6 weeks. As parents we are of course terrified but hopeful that the surgery will correct her defect. In the meantime, Olive continues to thrive and grow. All the Dr.s are amazed as she surpasses her milestones!

 

Prior to getting pregnant with Olive, Dan and I faced our first of many life challenges. In early 2018 Dan had to go through surgery for the first time for issues with his ankle. This put him out of work for months. We expected his recovery to be a few weeks and slowly it turned into months of healing. Once he was finally ready to return to work his ankle began to swell tremendously! He sought medical help, but there was no end in sight. No one knew what was going on. Months later, no answers still, his body had swollen from his toes all the way to his neck. Something Very serious was going on and we NEEDED answers! After about a year of appointment after appointment, Dan finally received news. He was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome (a life long auto immune disorder). He was told there was no cure but with rounds of chemotherapy off and on for the rest of his life, he would be able to maintain his health. Since then he has undergone several chemo sessions and continues to struggle off and on with the symptoms of his immune disorder. At times making it difficult to work full days and go about normal life. We are extremely grateful that he is healthier today and continue to pray for his healing. Dan has been so strong as he has faced all of this! At 30 years old he was shown just how fragile our lives are. At times uncertain of what the next day would hold! Every day getting up and fighting the good fight regardless of the pain his body was in!

 

With all of these events taking place and the upcoming surgery for Olive as well as chemotherapy for Dan we are asking for our village! We understand that in order to face all that is ahead, we can’t do it alone! If you are able to support us in anyway we would be endlessly grateful. Obviously monetarily we are struggling, but help in the future with meals and childcare would go a long way for our mental health and healing as well!