Olivia by Nicole Pullen

During a routine ultrasound while pregnant, it was discovered that our baby’s kidneys were enlarged & covered in cysts. It was thought that our baby would have PKD – Polycystic Kidney disease, usually a genetic disease where fluid-filled cysts cover kidneys. PKD is rare in newborn babies, it usually discovered at a much older stage in life. We were told by doctors that due to very low levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy that our baby may not survive her first 48-hrs. Amniotic fluid is needed for the baby to develop healthy lungs.

At 37 weeks, Olivia Grace was born. It was instant love. Our beautiful little girl had a mass of golden strawberry blond hair & big dark eyes. We were absolutely heartbroken that Olivia was immediately taken to the neo-intensive care unit & placed on breathing assistance. Olivia was in the beginning stages of kidney failure. The emotionally journey of having a chronically ill child had begun. At 1-month old while in NICU, Olivia’s blood pressure was skyrocketed, her electrolytes were all over the map & she was no longer clearing toxins from her body. Olivia’s kidneys had shut down. Olivia was transferred to the PICU where we were devastated to see our little innocent baby fighting for her life. We were terrified we were going to lose her. Continuous Run Therapy would run for 24 hours a day for over a week to help clear the toxins in her blood. Blood pressure would be monitored every few minutes. Eventually therapy would transition to daily hemodialysis. Step by step Olivia was building strength as fluids were clearing. Therapy was working,
Olivia would need to receive long-term dialysis until she grew big enough to have a kidney transplant.

Over a period of time Mom & Dad were trained by the nephrology nurse to learn peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis could be administered at home until she reached the target weight & height for transplant. After 97 days in the hospital, Olivia was discharged. Olivia would be connected to the PD machine for 16 hours each night, eventually moving down to 12 hours each night as she grew bigger.

Each day after treatment, we try to keep Olivia as active as possible to help build up her strength with physiotherapy. Due to Olivia’s long illness & low muscle tone, Olivia is unable to crawl, stand or walk. All of Olivia’s nutrition is by g-tube as she has a severe oral aversion & reflux due to kidney condition.

Olivia's care is a constant balancing act & exhausting. Daily monitoring of blood pressure & weight is needed, along with frequent blood work to ensure electrolyte levels are stable. Olivia has been through several hospital stays, where she has endured countless surgeries, blood transfusions, infusions & serious peritonitis infections. There were times where we were so close to losing her.

Through genetic testing, it was discovered that Olivia has a rare disease caused by a mutation of the NPHP3 gene. The condition is called, ‘Renal Hepatic Pancreatic Dysplasia Syndrome’, (Ivemark’s Syndrome). The condition is so rare that only 8 cases are documented in medical books worldwide. Olivia is a mystery to the medical world. Unfortunately this disease has also affected Olivia’s liver. Olivia has liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension & is also cystic. Eventually Olivia’s liver will go into failure, needing to be transplanted.

Through these past 2 years, Olivia has shown us what an unbelievable fighter she is. Throughout each difficult procedure she is a happy little girl with a huge personality. She is gaining strength each day. Olivia has now reached the stage where medical work up is starting for transplant. At this time, we are unclear whether her transplant will be a dual liver & kidney transplant. Transplant is not a cure, but it can bring her a life of freedom from being connected to a machine for hours each night. She will be facing lifetime of challenges with having chronic kidney disease, other transplants will be needed in her lifetime. We are hopeful that Olivia will build enough strength so she can walk, attend regular school & simply have a simpler life.

Thank-you for following Olivia’s story, we thank everyone who has come into our lives, who have supported Olivia’s fight against this devastating disease. As our direction in life has changed, we bring our passion into bringing awareness to Kidney & Liver Disease and organ donation.

For updates on Olivia:
www.facebook.com/oliviasfight

Information on Becoming A Kidney Donor;
http://www.uhn.ca/MOT/PatientsFamilies/Clinics_Tests/Pages/living_donor.aspx

To be tested to become Olivia’s Organ Donor, your bloodtype needs to be B+/- or O+/- & in healthy physical condition. Fill out this form & send it to Toronto General Hospital.
http://www.uhn.ca/MOT/PatientsFamilies/Clinics_Tests/Pages/living_donor.aspx

For further kidney information & to help pediatric kidney patients in need, please donate to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in Olivia's honor, ‘Olivia Grace Pullen’;
www.kidney.ca

Canadian Liver Foundation:
http://www.liver.ca/

For more information on Polycystic Kidney Disease:
www.endpkd.ca

Take 2 minutes to register yourself to become an organ donor, you can save up to 8 lives: www.beadonor.ca

Help Build A New Nephrology Clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital, ‘Caring For Little Kidneys Campaign’:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/donate.aspx?eventid=160834

Information on the Kidney Transplant Program at The Hospital for Sick Children: http://www.sickkids.ca/TRMC/patients-families/Kidney-Transplant-Program/index.html

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