Finally…….
UPDATE: Â Aria is relisted at status one for all four organs again as of 4pm/9am NZT today.
So we will just come right out and say it.
Aria’s new bowel has  rejected and her transplant has been unsuccessful.
This is of course profoundly bad news. Â Her new liver and kidneys are ok and coping. Â But you might of noticed in recent pics that Aria is very yellow, her bili is as high as it was before transplant. Â This is because her new bowel has holes in it and the bile is draining her to abdominal wall and into her blood stream. Â The liver itself is ok, not too TPN damaged, we know this because her other numbers are fine.
Also she has been battling infection, in particular a bug called Pseudomonas.  This is a nasty bug and it has morphed each time she has had it and it has become resistant to antibiotics.  The last time it was cultured, there was only one drug left to treat it, which we have used now. This doesn’t mean the next time she cultures it, it will fully resistant but there is a reasonable chance it might given it’s past history.
Today Aria is more unstable than she has been previously and we are concerned something is growing and praying hard it is not the dreaded pseudomonas. Â Her vent settings are up because she is struggling to maintain her breathing. Â Perhaps it has something to do with the water she is drinking and the fact she is throwing it back up and it is going into her lungs and throat.
Aria is in a tight spot for sure. Â The light at the end of the tunnel is dim and getting smaller. Â When we found out about her rejection there was a moment when we sat on the couch and cried and I shook my fist, literally shaking and crying. Â I knew in that moment my faith could go either way- I could hate God and be like ‘are you freaking kidding me Aria has to do this again’ (honesty)- why does it have to be this way!? Â Or we could cry out “God you are still Good- we still trust you’. Â Our decision- God is still good. Â Still loving, still kind in everything He does.
Psalm 27:13-14
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the FREE.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD
We changed the word living to the word FREE. Â We are still standing firm with God- we will continue to see His goodness in the land of the Free, America, where he has called us.
We beg and plead with God to please overcome that huge huge mountains that stand in Aria way. Â And the same time we give her fully over to Him, asking that He may take her to Glory should that be His will.
Today Aria will be relisted for another bowel, kidney, liver and pancreas transplant. Â We wait again for organs and know they need to come soon. Â We are sad for the family that donated Aria’s current organs that they aren’t going to provide her with long term life, but they did buy her precious time.
This journey is so EXTREMELY tough and hard and is about to get harder. We know Aria’s recovery will be tougher and Hamish and I are weary from having to face transplant again and watching our precious girl suffer. Â We have done a lot of soul searching as to whether we want to put Aria through this again. Â It has been very hard, yet very easy. Â We see lots of fight in her still, she isn’t giving up and the team here are unanimous in their decision to relist her. Â Hamish and I will fight for her and give her the opportunity to live until God makes it clear otherwise
Please surround us with your love and prayers knowing that God is allowing us to do something I NEVER would of thought I could do. Â Please join us in begging God for His mighty overuling and supernatural healing in Aria’s body- only He can do this.
93 Responses to “Finally…….”
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Starship Children’s Health
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# 27 Apr at 7:13 pm
What crushing news for you all…. my heart breaks for you, a very hard place to be in…. yet you are managing to cling on to God – and I pray you will be able to continue do that, knowing you have so many people pleading Aria’s case before him. You need people to carry you right now, in prayer – may all of us who have commented here lift you up constantly before God and NOT let it rest. Wishing I could give you a big hug – sending a virtual one.
# 27 Apr at 7:46 pm
I can’t imagine how you must be feeling now, thinking of you and remaining confident that Aria WILL be okay!
# 27 Apr at 7:46 pm
Thinking of you. Devastated by this news. Hugs from us (Nicole’s Mum and Dad)
# 27 Apr at 7:53 pm
We are so proud to be the cousins of such two young people who have chosen to TRUST God even in the dark.
Love ya lots
# 27 Apr at 7:58 pm
Oh dear god no am crying right now – You guys words fail me i am sending all my strength love and praying that a miracle will happen hugs hugs hugs love and light
# 27 Apr at 8:01 pm
My heart breaks for you Anita. Lots and lots of hugs and best wishes for Aria, I hope fantastic organs come soon and she fights those bugs.
# 27 Apr at 8:04 pm
I’m so very sorry you have to all go through this again.
How blessed is Aria to have you for parents.
# 27 Apr at 8:12 pm
My heart is breaking for you guys that you have to go through this again. Your post brought me to tears. I will be praying for you and passing your prayer request on. May the peace and love of God be with you.
# 27 Apr at 8:16 pm
You are all so strong and brave..my heart goes out to Aria and her family..love, hugs and prayers to you all..xxx
# 27 Apr at 8:32 pm
Wow what a heart breaking yet beautiful post. Beautiful in the sense that your faith in the God who truly is good and loves and cares for you all continues on being strong despite such difficult circumstances. I am so sorry that your journey is about to get harder yet again. Still praying that God will sustain you as He has thus far.
# 27 Apr at 9:03 pm
My thoughts and prayers and love is all beaming your way. I only hope that sharing your self and family with us all (which I so personally consider an honour) is helping you through this difficult time. Kia Kaha little Aria.
# 27 Apr at 9:22 pm
Your incredible faith continues to blow me away guys! That on its own is a testimony to so many! We’ll continue to pray and beg on your behalf!
Loads of love from all the Callander Clan
# 27 Apr at 10:19 pm
So very sorry to hear this sad news; be assured all of you, and especially brave little Aria, are status one in so many prayers around the world. Kia kaha.
# 27 Apr at 10:42 pm
While there is life there is hope. And boy Miss Aria has a long way to go still. She is a proven battler and so are you two, well seasoned battlers I would say.I know your hearts must be breaking again with the thought of what Aria must again go through but you have never once wavered and I know you will never give up. I know you have felt some terrible emotions and had to face things a parent should never ever have to face but you both are so full of strength when you need it, so inspiring, so dedicated and are the parents and human beings we all aspire to be. Lots of love to you both xxx
# 27 Apr at 10:44 pm
Hamish, Anita, Aria and Asher. We are joining the many others in praying for you both as a family and in the small groups we are in. We have prayed for you all through this journey but pray for particular strength, wisdom and ability to depend on God all the more as this trial seems to go on and become more intense. Hang in there and may God enable you to continue to walk this hardship in faith.
# 27 Apr at 10:54 pm
How incredibly sad and overwhelming for you. Status One – yay , I will be praying that suitable organs are available soon and that Aria will be ready to recieve them. My love and prayers are with you.
# 27 Apr at 10:55 pm
I too was very sad with this post and pray that our God supplies new organs soon and that he will also be a comfort to the family who will lose their beloved child. Stay strong in your faith Anita and Hamish and know that we are praying for you all. Yours in Christ,
Judy.
# 28 Apr at 12:11 am
aria will be rapt in Jesus precious arms,he is the healer,god bless you Aria and your mummy and daddy and your little brother. chrissy
# 28 Apr at 12:15 am
Writing this with tears in my eyes… cannot begin to comprehend one iota of the rollercoaster of emotions you all must be experiencing right now… love and many prayers.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
–Psalms 34: 18-19
*Priscilla*
# 28 Apr at 12:16 am
Praying for you here too. Words don’t feel like enough, but we will keep praying. xx
# 28 Apr at 12:18 am
My heart goes out to you all….. you are all amazing and I know that God has everything planned already…. I’m just sorry it’s so darn difficult for you all.
Much love xxxxx
# 28 Apr at 12:49 am
I am feeling very sad but will pray tonight that Aria is in Gods safe hands and that everything will be o.k.
# 28 Apr at 1:04 am
Oh Hamish and Anita, my heart goes out to you. I just can’t believe that this is happening, and have tears in my ears reading your post. You are an inspiration in the way you keep finding the strength to keep going, to keep trusting God in the midst of such a heartbreaking situation. May you continue to find supernatural strength and hope in the waiting time ahead. And we will certainly be praying that another doner will come along ASAP. Much love xxx
# 28 Apr at 1:12 am
This thought came to me today while I was pondering Aria’s situation. As you say, America is the Land Of The Free – that’s what it’s National Anthem says. It is also the home of the brave. For now, it is your temporary home, and all of you are very brave. Be strong.
# 28 Apr at 1:34 am
Right with you in prayer and hearts aching for you all. X
# 28 Apr at 1:51 am
Hi guys
Such a huge blow for you all. Rest assured we are all praying for you all. I just want to hug you and say its ok! You are all so strong and positive it is so sad these set backs are put in your way. If only you were here in NZ i would come a sit with you and just be there for you. Please know that though you are all so far away there are many many people praying and sending their love and positive thoughts to you all. Remember to have a little ‘you’ time as this gives you the energy to carry on. Fingers toes and everything are crossed for you that a donor will arrive before too long. x x
# 28 Apr at 2:34 am
OH WOW, thats huge! Thankfully we have a God who specialises in huge. Prayers and love and thoughts coming your way. You are amazing and God will sustain you.
# 28 Apr at 3:49 am
To have come so far and done so much will not ever count for nothing. You have been true to your nature and true to Aria to reach this far. You might yet catch a star. In any case, your faith has caught the hearts of all who have come with you on this journey, and that too will not ever count for nothing.
Kia kaha.
# 28 Apr at 4:09 am
Our sweet precious Aria you have fought so hard and been so brave, keep fighting sweetie, praying that this bug will clear and new organs will come soon. Ham, Anita, Ashie and Aria you have all been through so much already and your amazing faith and strength has been a wonderful testimony to us all. May God surround you with his loving arms and give you strength for each day and a peace that only He can give. Love you all
# 28 Apr at 4:47 am
We are all devastated for you. I hope you can feel all the love coming your way even though we are far away. Kia kaha and big, ginormous hugs.
# 28 Apr at 5:20 am
Oh no! Such devestating news. Praying praying praying for you all, and especilly your precious Aria. Keep fighting princess.
Belinda ((((HUGS))))
# 28 Apr at 8:48 am
God bless you and Aria, for I hope everything in the end works out well!!
# 28 Apr at 9:12 am
Improvement! - Aria MacDonald says:[…] all the beautiful messages and comments yesterday- they mean a lot to us. Â Please read the update HERE if you missed […]
# 28 Apr at 11:38 am
Chin up guys! She’s getting another chance!
# 28 Apr at 3:38 pm
Hang in there, folks! We’re all praying over here in Missouri and in Illinois. It won’t stop until she’s free to go home!! I know it looks rough atm, but she is getting another chance and I know she’s a strong and beautiful girl and will pull through this still!! Praise God for all He’s done and we’ll continue to keep praising him!! 😀
# 29 Apr at 2:35 am
Sorry to read of this news. Hoping that organs will come soon for Aria and that her 02 sats stay as they are. thinking of you all xx
# 29 Apr at 3:19 pm
Aria’s Organs Rejected « Something should go here, maybe later. says:[…] } For those who don’t follow Aria’s site, her bowel has been rejected meaning that her transplant has to be redone. Today Aria will be relisted for another bowel, […]
# 29 Apr at 3:59 pm
Have read your story in The Press this morning which led me to find your website. Nothing I can say right now will express how incredable you are as a family to be going through this extreemly tough and heartbreaking time. I am but a simple kiwi, studing for a nursing degree with three children of my own. I have this overwhelming urge to help you and your little girl in some way and I know that all I can do is pray to our loving and mighty God that your daughter recieve another transplant that will be succesfull. God bless, Caroline in Christchurch New Zealand
# 29 Apr at 4:15 pm
My thoughts and love go out to you I know the hard battle you are going through (all of you) and just wanted to say stay strong you have come along way and your love and faith will help you through. I have had the Starship hospital experience and my daughter had the bug Pseudomonas along with many others,she had no immune
system. We followed a similar path to you although didn’t get transplants. Stay strong love and kisses to Aria.
# 15 Jun at 9:19 am
A new week - Aria MacDonald says:[…] that last post was the highest commented ever! The posts about funding being granted and the rejection posts got lots too but obviously photos are a great way to […]
# 16 Jun at 9:32 pm
Hey, thanks…I’ve been hoping for information like that. Awesome! That’s really helpful. Thank you!
# 31 Dec at 8:33 pm
Frightening and Fabulous- a year in review. - Aria MacDonald says:[…] She did great. But after 10 trips to the OR and weeks on the vent, the transplant had failed and we said it outloud […]
# 21 Jun at 9:12 am
Finally……. – Aria MacDonald Outstanding story there. What occurred after? Thanks!