Family Stories
BABY OLIVIA’S HEART WARMING STORY OF STRENGTH AND HOPE
On a chilly, Michigan winter’s day, February 9, 2008, Chris Craig and Sarah Jurkiw, welcomed to the world, baby Olivia. The engaged couple had looked forward to this beautiful day and hoped for a miracle.
Baby Olivia was diagnosed (before her birth at 19 weeks) with DiGeorge Syndrome, which is the deletion of the 22nd chromosome that causes a heart defect. Mom Sarah worried for 9 months, knowing that her little baby daughter would have to have open heart surgery almost immediately after birth.
Shortly after Olivia’s birth, Chris and Sarah made the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, their ‘home away from home’. They hoped that their stay would be brief, but shortly after arriving, they knew the Detroit Ronald McDonald House would be a real life saver for them.
At six weeks old, baby Olivia had major open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Chris and Sarah were told that this would just be one of several heart surgeries, because every time baby Olivia grew, they would have to perform another surgery.
While undergoing the first surgery, her doctor discovered that Olivia would have to have a heart transplant, but would have to wait until she was a full 7 pounds.
While the anxious parents waited for Olivia to grow bigger and stronger, the doctors discovered that her liver was enlarged. They performed another surgery, opening up the abdominal wall.
After the abdominal surgery, the couple had a quiet summer, staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit and going back and forth from the hospital. That summer at the House, they made friends with other parents, staff and volunteers all the while eating home-cooked meals almost every day.
Olivia was on a 24-hour I.V., as her body was healing and getting prepared for a new heart. They waited for 5 months and 1 day to receive a tiny, little heart for baby Olivia. The transplant was successful.
However, she had to be placed on an Ecmo machine helped to filter baby Olivia’s blood until she was able to get off of the ventilator.
Finally on October 23, 2008. Sarah, Chris and their baby, Olivia were discharged from the hospital. They returned to their home in Utica, Michigan.
After a routing visit on December 31, 2008, the doctors found a heart arrhythmia and immediately placed her on medication. While at the hospital, she developed 3 infections.
Sarah and Chris, once again, used the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit as their ‘home away from home’.
She was finally released on February 6, 2009 and went home to celebrate her first birthday.
Then on February 18, 2009, baby Olivia stopped eating. Sarah and Chris returned to Children’s Hospital. Olivia was very ill and the doctors did not expect her to make it.
Day by day, baby Olivia grew strong and on March 4, 2009, she was taken off of the ventilator. On March 7, 2009, Olivia had to be placed back on the ventilator and the doctors decided that a tracheotomy would be the best option for the baby. After the tracheotomy on March 11, 2009, baby Olivia is expected to make a full recovery.
Sarah and Chris urge everyone to open up their hearts and give a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. If it weren’t for the Ronald McDonald House, they would not have had the strength needed, to help baby Olivia heal and return to their home.
A Family’s Story of Hope, Love, Faith and Miracles!
Baby Joseph was just 12 days old when he had his very first heart surgery. A mere four months later, in mid April 2008, he had his second surgery. Baby Joseph was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which is a defect of the heart that affects the left side of the heart, including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve. The baby’s heart is underdeveloped. This heart defect is usually fatal within the first days or months or life unless it’s treated. It was lucky for baby Joseph, that the doctors at Children’s Hospital of Michigan diagnosed his disease immediately.
Since his surgeries, the doctors told his parents that only two times in their history, with babies diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, have they seen growth on the left side of a baby’s heart. Little Joseph is one of the lucky two to see growth on the left side of his heart. The doctors told the family it was miraculous!
Steve and Deanna Postighone and their two daughters, Odette and Emily, have made the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, their home since December 17, 2007. They’ve only made it back to their real home, on and off, for a total of three weeks since their arrival. Both of them agree that the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit is a Godsend.
“We would not have been able to cope with all of the stress without the help, love and support from the other families and the staff of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit We will never forget the House and we hope that you continue to give your financial support.” Steve and Deanna Postighone
