Two-month-old Ellie-Ann Bopp looking for a diagnosis
GIBSON, Ga. (WJBF) – A family in Glascock County is searching for answers. Their infant child has come down with some sort of mystery disease.
Little Ellie-Ann Bopp is two months old and has been hospitalized for most of her life. All while doctors and nurses struggle to find a diagnosis.
“Some days, she looks like a normal, healthy baby, “said Dianne Reeves, Ellie-Ann’s Mother. “Yesterday, she was just very tired, and when she was tired like that, she would sleep. She’d become limp and lethargic. We can’t get her to wake up. So, every day is we don’t know what we are going to expect with her.”
After many scans, she was diagnosed with central apnea and is now being sent to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta to try and figure out the underlying cause.
“We have about lost her numerous of times,” said Richard Bopp, Ellie-Ann’s Father. “From what my eyes saw, she died in her arms about three times, and we got her back.”
They knew something was wrong with their baby. This was solidified when they went to church for the first time, and while a family friend was holding it, Ellie-Ann turned blue around her lips and was limp.
“A lot of people are going to tell you that babies breathe different. But trust your gut. Because I was told babies breathe funny; that’s what they do. My baby turned blue,” said Reeves.
Nurses and family call her the mystery baby, unsure why they can’t figure this out.
“It breaks my heart, and it hurts because I’ve been through a lot in my lifetime, and I don’t want none of my kids going through anything at all. Anything, and we are still looking for answers,” said Bopp.
Their lives have dramatically changed with six children, and they pray they will soon find out what is causing the issues.
“It’s changed our lives so much. It’s changed the other girl’s life. You know, when we were in the hospital, they had to stay at a friend’s house or family’s house. They lived out of a suitcase. They didn’t know if their sister was going to make it the next day,” said Reeves.
They are far from the hospital and wish there was an EMS in the county, but they are thankful for the first responders. They also want to thank their church and all the doctors and nurses at CHOG.
“We do have great first responders. Because they get there right away, they do as soon as we call, and they have a great action plan with us. At one time, they were just nurses or doctors coming in the room, but now, like we talk daily,” said Reeves.
The family has many fundraisers and updates if you are interested on Ellie-Ann’s Facebook page. A fundraiser is being held Saturday, April 6th in Gibson.
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