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Update From Miami: Olivia’s Christmas Wish

The Bush family may get their simple Christmas wish — a cure for Olivia.

Olivia Bush, 6, is blind, able to see only a little light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.

Olivia and her family are currently at Miami Children’s Hospital hoping to find a cure for her seizures. So far, the results hold a bit a promise. The Bush family arrived in Miami last Monday. Olivia has been monitored by a 35-lead EEG and a video camera a great deal of the time that she has been in the hospital, doctors hoping to capture data from a seizure.

On Tuesday night, she had a seizure that was captured on the EEG and video, according to her father Tad Bush.

“The doctor came in Wednesday and said that they localized it to the front left lobe of her brain but he wanted to see another seizure so he could pinpoint it,” Tad said. “On Thursday he came back in and told us that she was a candidate for surgery.” Just to be sure, the doctor wanted to observe another seizure. The family has been waiting for that seizure, hoping that it happens before they leave Miami on Tuesday. Without another seizure, the family will need to return to Miami sometime after Christmas.

“So, basically we still need another seizure. So, please, please, please pray for another seizure,” mom Amber Bush, said. “I so don’t want to have to go through this again or have the possibility that we go home and her have one.”

NorthEscambia.com first introduced our readers to Olivia back in early December. That story is below.

Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she weighed only one pound six ounces. She stayed in the NICU three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.

The current-day chapter Olivia’s story is perhaps best told by her mother, Amber Bush:

“Olivia is now 6 years old. She is blind and can only see light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.

“Our little miracle girl started first grade this year and loves to go to school. She is spoiled rotten by everyone she meets and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She loves to rock and spin and everything needs to be fast. Roller coasters, throw up rides, and bumps are her friends. Olivia doesn’t meet a stranger. She has the greatest smile and laugh and always brightens our day. She is such an inspiration to everyone she meets, and she has come such a long way. Her favorite song is the BIBLE and she tells everyone to sing it to her.

“After enduring the NICU, she came home on oxygen and a heart monitor, and doctor after doctor. Then started the therapy. She is still in physical, occupational, speech, vision, and mobility therapy.”

Now, Olivia is heading to Miami Children’s Hospital. She will see the same doctor that cured the seizures of her cousin, Northview High student Nathan Therrell.  NorthEscambia.com introduced our readers to Nate in November of 2008 when he was on the sidelines as Northview’s waterboy. After undergoing surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital, Nathan played in Northview’s Garnet and Gold Game in May of 2009, void of seizures. (Read about Nathan here.)

Olivia will be in Miami Children’s Hospital December 14-16 for a battery of tests that her parents hope will end with a successful treatment plan. It’s their Christmas wish.

“Pray for guidance in this matter and that the seizures will subside,” mom Amber said. “Please pray for Olivia. She has come such a long way, and we are so thankful. God has truly blessed us with a living angel and we are very grateful.”

A successful benefit car wash for Olivia Bush was held in Century on Saturday, December 5.

Pictured top: Olivia Bush with a therapy dog at Miami Children’s Hospital. Pictured top insets: Olivia at the children’s hospital. Pictured  top inset: Olivia was just one pound six ounces when she was born at 22 weeks. Pictured bottom inset: Olivia Bush at six-years old. Pictured below: Tad, Olivia, Simon and Amber Bush.Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.