Fundraiser, carnival in Reelsville for Nikki Oliver

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Friends are banding together to help Nikki McLin Oliver, a local mother struck by the Human Parvo virus B-19, on Saturday.

Fundraising events will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and occur at the Reelsville firehouse, Reelsville school and other locations around the county.

There will be a craft fair, countywide scavenger hunt, mush ball tournament, carnival, spaghetti dinner and concert.

Oliver contracted the virus, rarely developed after childhood, this past winter.

During outbreaks a person suffers from rash, fever, aches and unpredictable heart rates.

Oliver is unable to walk without assistance.

While children are normally able to shake the disease in a few days, the symptoms have been debilitating for Oliver.

Oliver explained that while Parvo is part of the problem, there are further symptoms affecting her nerves, muscles and heart whose underlying cause is unknown.

Tests are ongoing and medical costs have mounted for Oliver and her husband Rickie.

Her friends surprised Oliver and her family by organizing the event.

The craft fair will be at the firehouse from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Next to begin is a car/motorcycle photo scavenger hunt. Participants will be given a list and asked to take pictures of places around the county and uncommon objects. Families are encouraged to participate.

Participants will register at the firehouse at 10:30 a.m., begin at 11 a.m. and are asked to pay a donation of their choice.

Winners will be awarded prizes at the dinner.

A carnival at the firehouse will last from 11-2 p.m. For a free will donation there will be unlimited games and inflatable bounce pit participation, with candy and hot dogs available as well.

The Mushball tournament will have a $100 fee for each team, with 10-20 expected.

The sport is similar to softball, but the ball is larger and, organizer Josh Morse said, practically like hitting a pillow.

To sign up, call Josh Morse at 721-3964. Games will be played at the ball fields by Reelsville school.

Spaghetti dinner will be at the firehouse and run from 5-8. The cost is a free-will donation, and there will be raffle and prizes.

There will also be entertainment as three local bands are performing.

For more information about the event there is a Facebook page at Craft Fair and Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Nikki Oliver.

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  • Just to clarify, Nikki did not ask us to do this event. She did not even know we were organizing it. She found out about it, when everyone else did. It was a total surprise to her.

    -- Posted by pcresident243 on Thu, May 17, 2012, at 3:49 PM
  • This is Nikki's Mom, I just wanted to clarify that when she was first admitted to the hospital, it was for a virus, and severe dehydration. She was transferred and spent a total of 21 days in ICU units on monitors. What they found was she had a strept infection in her blood stream, fluid in her pelvic region, a severe Vitamin D Defiency and Human Parvo Virus B-19. She was transferred to the second hospital as her heart rate was running 29-52 with runs to 250. After transferr to the 2nd hospital she became paralized. These Dr's gave her high doses of steroids and sent her to IU as the paralysis worsened. THe PARVO attacts the heart, muscles and nerves in less than 2% of people is what they have told us. Normally it runs it coarse and leaves, but in some it can linger for years! Her values are on a roller coaster ride and the DR's say this is highly unusual. PARVO hit all areas in her body! Her cardiac output was down to 35%, it was improving on the last exam, THANK GOD! After 20 days in the hospital and another paralized episode I went home, Rickie went the next moring, That day Physical THeraphy did not approve discharge home as she was weaker. BUT the nurse discharged her. The next day the DR wrote for PT however after discharge it can not be arranged from the hospital and we did not know this until this week. We had planned on bringing her home, even with the 24 hour care they said she needed, that way she could be with the kids and they needed help to. As a family we thought she would recover quicker with her kids. TUESDAY we were at the Dr's for follow up, He feels that it is more than PARVO (as did ALL of the Dr's) as parvo causes generalized weakness and hers is mainly lower extremities now. Transverse Mylitits is what he continues to feel she has. The Olivers, RICK, LANA and KAT all pitched in and cared for the kids,as well as covered Rickie at work during her hospitalization. Since her discharge, they, along with her family and friends are doing our best to help Nikki regain her strenght and hopefully ability to walk more than a few steps with the walker. The DR's continue to search for the "underlying problem". WE ARE VERY GREATFUL to all for the prayers, food, sitting services, theraphy and to the girls putting on this event!!! These girls out of the kindness of their hearts saw a need, know that Nikki& Rickie would never ask for help and have organized a wonderful EVENT!! please if you have questions, or want to know what is going on call myself at 765-721-0466. Hope to see you tommorow at the Reelsville Firehouse, if for no other reason to show love and emotional support for your family and friends. Thanks

    -- Posted by Nikki's_Mom on Fri, May 18, 2012, at 12:02 PM
  • I would like to add that not supporting any family member that is having a stressful time is not appreciated and posting something hurtful toward another is wrong. I support all of my family members in whatever it might be, right or wrong and the OLIVER family does recognize and try to help EVERYONE as well as others outside of the family that are having a hard time or an illness. It is very rude though to comment an make gestures toward a benefit when neither Rickie nor Nikki had any part in setting it up. Shouldn't everyone be happy that our community and family as well friends care enough to donate their time and efforts to help. I personally take offense to the comment made about no insurance is part of the farming family because I myself as well as MOST of the family have insurance it was just this special circumstance when she didn't at the time of her sickness. No one person or family is alike! Like papaw Oliver always said as well as my father if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all an united we stand an united we fall!!! If you don't believe in what this immediate family is doing and the actions that are being made then don't say or doing anything, keep it to yourself. Make it known that there has yet to be an Oliver that has not offered to help someone in a time of need. No one besides our IMMEDIATE family knows exactly what the doctors have said so anyone outside of the family only has heard hear says.

    Also to make known both the uncle that cannot live at home at this time as well as the aunt receiving cancer treatments have been offered help SEVERAL of times. I hate to see that such a family member would strike out at the community for helping MY family that I love and care about, it is really shameful. I support my brother and his family and I encourage anyone that has the time to come to the benefit even if you have nothing to give, emotional support is as much appreciated as well. Sincerely, little Oliver sister!

    -- Posted by Katoliver on Fri, May 18, 2012, at 1:00 PM
  • AWESOME POST KAT!

    -- Posted by Nikki's_Mom on Fri, May 18, 2012, at 1:33 PM