FAMILY PROFILE
Vancil
Home: Branson, MO (Taney County)
On November 30, 2018, our three-year-old daughter Olivia woke up feeling a little cranky and sore, but was otherwise normal. The next morning, she began developing a red rash all over her body. We had two E.R. trips that day, and they diagnosed her with possible allergic reactions to red food coloring. During the overnight hours the red areas blistered, and her body began to burn her skin, from the inside out. The following day, December 1st, a third E.R. trip quickly turned into a transfer from our local Branson hospital to Mercy Kids Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Springfield, where we would remain until December 7th. Olivia was diagnosed with Scalded Skin Syndrome, a staph infection that causes the top layers of skin to separate from the body. Only 48 hours after her first redness appeared, 75% of her skin had burned. The severe pain and itching were a nightmare for Olivia. She had to be sedated and restrained to prevent her from clawing off her skin, pulling out her hair, and removing the four IV lines. She was terrified from all the medical procedures happening to her body. One of us had to be with her around the clock to provide comfort, love and hope. During the first three days, I had only managed three hours of sleep, no shower and minimal food intake. One of the doctors recommended the Ronald McDonald House and mentioned that it was located inside the hospital just two floors up from PICU. My sister came to the hospital to provide Johnny and I some relief. During that time, we visited the Ronald McDonald House and were positively overwhelmed with what they offered. It was exactly what we needed to face the chaos and devastation happening to our baby girl. We received a wonderful hot dinner every evening, provided by volunteers who had kind hearts and friendly dispositions. We were able to shower, sleep, and make food during our stay. The House helped us so we could be everything Olivia needed from her family. We couldn’t be more thankful for the Ronald McDonald House! ShareAHeart
http://www.shareaheart.org
ShareAHeart.org http://kaywa.me/xk1ka