Love and support for Baby Oliver and his family

Pictured are, my Niece, Charlotte, and my nephews Liam and Baby Oliver. Oliver, our once sweet and happy little boy, has been through so much this past week. The day he turned 8 months old last monday,  he tested positive for RSV. We were told he was still in good condition and to head home without worries because he had no fever and no other symptoms besides some coughing and a slight wheeze. The day after that appointment, our whole world was turned upside down. He developed a high fever that Tylenol seemed to keep away, but only for a couple hours. He started to slow down on eating and became weak. By tuesday night, he was struggling for air and his fever just wouldn't stay away. He was rushed to Parkland Emergency room in Farmington where they evaluated him for hours and still told us he was ok, eventhough, at that point, he was breathing hard with his tummy. Around midnight they said that they would be released to go back home and to watch him closely. That wasnt the case. Next thing they knew, they were being transferred to Missouri Baptist hospital in St Louis. That was not the greatest experience at all. They took his oxygen off when they got there and said he was fine. Even with the high fever and him still struggling for air. They knew something still wasnt right but they put their trust into the doctors and nurses who kept telling them everything was normal. They barely came to check on Oliver. They had to constantly call nurses in because it was just getting worse. Luckily a doctor from Children's hospital came to check on him around midnight wednesday night and was disgusted at the fact Missouri Baptist let him get so bad. Within 30 seconds of seeing Oliver, she had children's ICU on the phone to have him transferred there. By 3 am they had him loaded into the ambulance and rushed him into the icu. Instantly nurses and doctors were surrounding this baby. By 6 that morning things got way worse. Olivers body was shutting down because he had been belly breathing and struggling for air for so long. By 8 they had him hooked up to pain meds and sedation because they were about to ventilate him. He fought and fought the sedation, so, to keep him comfortable, they had to give him a paralytic. So, at this point, Baby Oliver is on a ventilator, has ivs in his neck, and a feeder tube through his nose. For four days we didn't see him move, didn't see those gorgeous blue eyes or that happy smile, he just laid there with a vent breathing for him. Talk about heartbreaking and scary. It's been 7 days now and he's improved a little but no where near where he needs to be. They finally have him off the paralytic but he is still on doses of sedation to keep him comfortable, with pain medication. But, for the first time in days, we finally got to see those baby blue eyes. He's still in rough shape and at this point he's not exactly progressing as much as we hoped for. They will be lucky if they make it home by the end of this week. Every time we think he's getting better he takes a turn and gets a little worse. They have no idea how long they will be there, but, they are working on week two now. Their bills are starting to pile up back home and they are running low on options. I'm not asking for much, but every little bit counts right now. Between gas, food, and extra clothes, what they did have is going fast. If you can't help we understand, but if you do, we thank every one of you so much. We will forever be in your debt. Prayers are also very well needed and always welcomed. My family needs a little pep back into their step after this heartwrenching time. You have no idea how much it would be truly and gratefully appreciated. Thank you all so much for the outpouring of support and prayers. 


-Katlyn (Aunt KK)