Olivia Bradley

Family and Friends, 


On Saturday September 21 at the request of our pediatrician I took Olivia to the Emergency Department at Methodist Hospital for fever and leg pain that at times was excruciating and seemed to come and go and also seemed to move from one leg to the other over the course of the previous week. Bloodwork, X-rays, an ultrasound of the her right leg , blood cultures, strep and flu swabs were done and all that was seemingly wrong according to those tests was that she has inflammation, possibly due to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. They sent us home with an anti inflammatory medication and told us to follow up with our primary care doctor in three days. On Sunday morning I received a call from the Emergency doctor that had treated her the previous day and he told me that the pathologist had looked at her peripheral blood smear that morning and that there were some abnormal cells and he wanted us to go to OSF for a direct admit for further testing to be done as an inpatient.  We arrived that afternoon and was admitted to the Childrens Hospital Oncology Unit.  More blood work and a chest X-ray was done.  That night we had confirmation from the doctor that she did indeed have some sort of cancer in her blood.  Monday morning one of her blood test results was final which gave us the information that her official diagnosis is B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. From the moment we arrived at OSF and became a ST. Jude Family we have received the most excellent care from every staff person we have met! These last few days have been a whirlwind of emotion for Olivia, for us as parents and for our other children.  We feel that caring bridge will help us keep information about Olivias journey in one place and available to all of you who love and care for Olivia and our family! Please leave Olivia  encouraging messages when you can. I will update as often as possible but please understand it may not be everyday but that I will do my best to keep you informed! Please pray for Olivia, this is a difficult time for her! I know that the God we serve is bigger than this and she’s going beat it!