Our beloved Olivia (26) has been fighting a complex web of medical conditions for over a decade. What began as stomach and hormonal issues have evolved into a challenging journey through multiple diagnoses and treatments. Recent years brought diagnoses of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorder (CVID) - requiring regular immune system infusions - and rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to her daily struggles with autoimmune diseases, Olivia has undergone multiple surgeries in the last few months to open a vascular occlusion in her superior vena cava. She has traveled from her home in New York to Boston (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), Rochester, MN (Mayo Clinic) and Cleveland (Cleveland Clinic) for surgeries. These trips have not only resulted in high medical bills but she and her family have spent eight weeks living out of hotels, away from home while seeking a doctor that could successfully open the occlusion.

After two unsuccessful attempts to open the occlusion the week of September 8, prayers were answered when Olivia underwent life-saving open heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic on Monday, September 15. While successful, the cumulative surgeries and lengthy ICU at Cleveland Clinic have left her body exhausted. We have been told to expect her recovery period at Cleveland Clinic to last at least three weeks, possibly longer.

While in the hospital, her mother Lisa remains in Cleveland to provide bedside support. As Olivia’s sole home health care provider, she is not able to work, and Olivia’s father is still on short-term disability after a second knee replacement was needed to remove a sepsis infection.

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