Liver transplant successful, infant doing ‘fantastic’

EAST LIVERPOOL - When East Liverpool resident Pamela Olmstead traveled to San Antonio, Texas, in June to visit her one-year-old grandson Jayden Olmstead, it wasn't for a family reunion.

Jayden was in the emergency room of a local hospital. Apparently, he was bleeding from the gums and vomiting blood clots.

"He woke up one morning and the bed was covered in blood," Pamela Olmstead said. "He had to go to the emergency room for a blood transfusion."

Jayden was born Dec. 23, 2008, and was shortly after diagnosed with Biliary Cirrhosis, or chronic progressive liver disease.

According to Pamela Olmstead, bleeding from the gums is typical for patients with liver problems. However, the amount of the bleeding was not typical, she said.

Jayden's mother, Krystal Olmstead, said the situation looked grim.

"His liver was failing, basically," she said.

Thankfully, doctors were able to perform a transfusion and days later Jayden was released from the hospital to return to Fort Sam Houston with his parents, Krystal and Jamie Olmstead, who is a former East Liverpool resident and 2001 Beaver Local High School graduate. He is currently enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After Jayden was home, Pamela Olmstead returned to East Liverpool confident her grandson would remain in good health.

The very next day, which was July 1, Pamela Olmstead got confirmation her grandson would be O.K. He had received a liver transplant at the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

"I got into (East Liverpool) at 1 a.m. July 1, and at 10:30 a.m. my son called to tell me a liver was found," Pamela Olmstead said.

Pamela and Krystal Olmstead both said Jayden broke a record for fewer days in the hospital than any other transplant patient. He was released nine days after the surgery.

According to Pamela Olmstead, a typical hospital stay for transplant patients is two weeks.

Krystal Olmstead said the transplant came at a perfect time. Jayden was scheduled to recertify for a new health score July 2. Recertifying would determine his place on the transplant list.

"Because he was so little his health score would have dropped, and he would be lower on the list," she said.

The surgery lasted approximately four hours, Pamela Olmstead said, and Jayden's outward appearance drastically changed immediately following the transplant.

Because of the disease, Jayden suffered from jaundice, or a yellow pigmentation of the skin and eyes.

Pamela Olmstead said his eyes and skin rapidly returned to normal after the new liver was inserted.

"It's unbelievable how well he has done," she said.

Krystal Olmstead said Jayden has begun to gain weight as well, which was something he struggled with before as a result of the disease.

She also said he seems happier, is playing more and sleeping less. Before the transplant, he would sleep a majority of the day, but now he is down to one nap a day, which is normal.

"He is eating like crazy. He is very happy. His doctors did a great job. We are very blessed he is doing so good," she said.

"God has definitely taken care of this baby. He is doing fantastic," Pamela Olmstead said.

Now that the transplant is over, the Olmstead family faces several medical bills.

Before the transplant, Pamela Olmstead took it upon herself to organize local fundraisers and reach out to organizations to raise funds for medical expenses.

One organization she was able to get in touch with was the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a non-profit organization located in Indiana.

Through the organization she has been able to put together a local coin drive to raise funds. Several boxes have already been placed in some East Liverpool businesses.

According to Pamela Olmstead, the transplant cost approximately $500,000, but was mostly covered through Jamie Olmstead's Army insurance.

However, the family still faces nearly $40,000 in after-transplant related expenses. Through Pamela Olmstead's efforts, and others willing to contribute, $5,198 has been raised.

"This is where it all starts now as far as really needing to raise money," she said.

Individuals interested in donating may do so through Jayden's COTA donor Web site: cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforJaydenO/

All funds are held in a COTA account and distributed to the family as needed.

Additional information about Jayden can be found on on his Facebook profile: Praying for Jayden Olmstead.

For information regarding the coin drive, or other fundraising and volunteer opportunities, contact Pamela Olmstead at 330-386-4818, or olmstead-pam@yahoo.com