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Happy and nervous
Today we are happy. They decided to start Aria on ’sprints’. Sprints is were they turn off the breathing support from the vent and Aria initiates all her breaths herself and then the machine comes in with the air she is asking for. They tried this for half an hour and she did great! Her breaths stayed at around 30ish which is normal. If she was struggling to breath she would of gone higher (like when you run and you breath faster) to like 60. So they will try again this arvo at 2pm for 45 mins. Then a hour later tonight and then 2 hours three times a day tomorrow. And then hopefully remove the breathing tube fully. So we are really really happy and praying the other sprints go well.
In other nervous news her temp, heart rate and white cell count is up today
Her temp peaked at 38.3. She has a patch of hot red skin on her pelvis and it might be a little skin infection from the fluid build up. So we asked to the team to move the Cat scan forward today and they agreed. Worst case it could be another leak in Aria’s bowel that is causing the temp. We know there is a leak but everyone is hoping it is small and will heal without a trip to the OR. She is having some contrast now down her feeding tube into her tummy and bowel and it will leak out and show up on the xray.
So praise and prayers today for sure.
Thank you for your beautiful messages and encouraging words. This is the wonderful thing about this blog and a reminder that there are many people caring and loving and praying for Aria and our family. Thank you.
Update: nurse just took Aria’s temp and it was 37 ! good news.
Prelim results from the Cat scan are good. We could see the contrast coming out her stoma and not out of the drains. The person who did the scan said nothing ‘jumped out at her’. This is great because last time even Hamish and I could clearly see all the contrast leaking out of the top of her bowel into the abdo cavity. But we wait for official word from the transplant and ID team. maybe maybe maybe we can start intestinal feeds soon!
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About Aria

Aria MacDonald
Aria is three-and-a-half years old from Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand. Aria received her gift of life on the 6th of February, a small bowel, kidney, liver and pancreas transplant at the Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, USA.
Soon after birth she was diagnosed with a very rare condition of the bowel known as total intestinal aganglionosis or total Hirschsprung’s disease. There is no cure and it means she will never be able to digest food.
Fundraising progress
Aria's support to date:
Progress meter: 73%
Links
- Gifts from Heaven
A group of kids who have had or waiting on bowel/liver/stomach transplants - Hirschsprung’s disease
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Starship Children’s Health
The hospital that takes great care of Aria - The Kids Foundation of NZ
The wonderful charity that supports Aria





