Mrs MacDonald’s version
Barely half an hour after speaking to Hamish confirming he had arrived safely in Houston Texas I was staring at a thermometer that read 39 degrees (102.2).  Yes indeed, our Aria had spiked a temp.  Her heartrate read in the 170s and I could see her little chest labouring to take in air.  It was 10pm at night and Asher was sleeping soundly.
Of course I panicked a bit, should I call the hospital (yes silly of course), but they would tell me to bring her in and what was I going to do with Asher?  This is the part where I sucked it in and realised I needed to ask for help.  I text my friend Stephanie and her and her husband arrived within mins to take Ash, just like they did the morning of Aria’s 2nd transplant.
Aria and I went to hospital and it soon became clear that a night in the PICU would be the best idea given her state of breathing and they wanted to watch her closely. Â Finally at 4am we got to sleep. Â Aria did so well, enduring 2 sticks for blood and a line put in her foot and an xray and lots of listening and breathing treatments, urine cath etc etc.
So we spent the night and day in the PICU and thankfully she improved, although she had a little spike in the afternoon overall she was better. Â The verdict was a flair up of her asthma and probably a virus although all cultures are still clear.
This weekend I thought long and hard about God and his timing. Â The hardest thing was making the decision not to tell Hamish that Aria was admitted and managing it myself. Â I wanted to talk to him and tell him but I knew it would spoil his weekend and he deserved to have a rest from this crazy life.
I know God’s timing is always perfect, He NEVER makes mistakes and He is NEVER surprised like I was. Â But sometimes I just don’t understand. Â But that’s ok, it is my job to have faith.
It is very humbling being in a country for just under a year, having no family yet being able to call friends at 10.30pm at night to come and look after your son for two nights and a morning!  Thank you Brad and Stephanie!  And Elaine too for taking Asher to the zoo this arvo so we could get Aria home and settled.  She is doing great of course, steroids on board again and breathing is much improved.
Hebrews 12
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
We feel very surrounded by amazing people who we have learnt a great deal from. Â It is easy to get bogged down with this life and it’s hardships, not that I didn’t, I was pretty upset at times. Â But having such great people in our lives helps with keep your eye on the prize!
Mr MacDonald will fill you in on his weekend soon!
25 Responses to “Mrs MacDonald’s version”
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# 27 Sep at 4:11 pm
Oh sorry to hear you had an admission to endure with Hamish away – but sounds like you have some wonderful friends there who are happy to help out when you need them – that’s true friendship!!! You are a superstar!!! Well done mrs MacDonald…. so glad to hear your girl is home with you again!! xxx
# 27 Sep at 4:27 pm
I waa thrilled to see the Attitude programme on TV1 on Sunday and for the rest of NZ to see what an amazing family you all are and how the power of prayer and letting God into your life can do so much good. Anita, you did so well so take lots and lots of credit and warm fuzzies for coping so well.
# 27 Sep at 4:36 pm
Praise God… It shows that you are able to cope on your own. WEll done!!!!.
# 27 Sep at 4:38 pm
You did great and having such good friends is a sign of God’s love and watch care for you and the kids. I am sure Hamish was upset enough of the game as we all were.What a super family you all are. May Aria beat this bug as she has all others.Just one of those bumps and you did great.
# 27 Sep at 4:41 pm
Praise the Lord for the body of Christ!
Great TV documentary – will show some of it at church this Sunday.
Blessings in the Redeemer
Tony
# 27 Sep at 5:01 pm
Well done, Anita, all on your own-but then, you are never on your own are you-Your wonderful Heavenly Father never leaves your side! Just another test of your trust and faith in Him and you came thru with flying colours! God’s blessings on you all – Love-Jeannie
# 27 Sep at 5:11 pm
Praise God for your trust in Him and making Him Lord of all your needs!!! He is so faithful!!! Well done Anita, youre such a wonderful mother, praise God and thank you for trusting in Him amen.
# 27 Sep at 5:34 pm
You are one AWESOME Mummy, Anita – well done!
# 27 Sep at 6:58 pm
The true mark of friendship is to be able to ask for help and for a willingness to help when asked. God has provided you with friends to call on and you were sensible enough to know you had to ask. Well done you. Praise God that Aria is well enough to come home again. Blessings,
Judy.
# 27 Sep at 7:02 pm
🙂 Love that little man. He can come hang out anytime!
Glad you’re all home and together today. Hope you can get some sleep tonight!
# 27 Sep at 7:19 pm
Praise the Lord for your West Omaha friends. Brad, Stephanie and Elaine….you guys are great! God blesses us in so many ways as our faith is tried and we trust!
# 27 Sep at 7:20 pm
You are such an amazing Mum – every Mum finds it hard when home alone when these things happen and with everything that you have been through in the past year over there it is great to hear that you have such terrific friends – they are a blessing!!!
# 27 Sep at 7:22 pm
Sweetie, friends are the people who catch you when you are falling. Well done for asking, I know it is hard but good on you for giving Hamish a break. Don’t forget to take one yourself. You are both awesome! Get well Aria!
# 27 Sep at 8:41 pm
We love you guys!!! SO glad Aria is back home and doing better!
# 27 Sep at 9:07 pm
Sorry that Aria had to be taken to the hospital, but I’m so glad that she is doing better! Sounds like you have a great friends! 🙂 God Bless!
# 27 Sep at 9:27 pm
Perhaps this was just a little prompt to show you that you are strong and can cope with more than you thought. Believe in yourself as much as you believe in God.
Excellent doco on Attitute. I have been following your story for quite a while, just quietly standing on the sidelines. You are an amazing family. Although I do not have your faith I’m glad it is there for you. All the best.
# 27 Sep at 9:41 pm
Wonderful to have such kind and careing friends glad Aria is home again sounds that you coped wonderfully
# 27 Sep at 11:42 pm
Well done you. You must be very used to having each other there as support and a sounding board, but sometimes it’s important to know you have the strength to do what needs to be done on your own too.
# 27 Sep at 11:56 pm
Well done Mrs MacDonald!
# 28 Sep at 2:56 am
Dad away from home for w/end, we might as well all be away from home to!
Sorry abt the pun, it was said with a chuckle as maybe the house needed to be alone!!
But you ALL ended up having company of some kind.
Well done Anita for coping the way you did, plus plucking the courage to ask for help, afterall that’s what friends are for.
Plus it is great for the friend to feel honoured to be asked & able to do something very worthwhile & makes them feel special.
What a blessing little Asher is just so adaptable & goes with the flow. Two very special kiddo’s you have to be so proud of.
# 28 Sep at 8:09 am
bless your friends 🙂
pleased to read Aria is ok again
# 28 Sep at 8:54 pm
You are amazing – with each crisis you face you grow stronger… I too saw the update on “Attitude” and once again marveled at Aria and her fortitude – not to mention all of you! So many people have been touched by your precious family.. as can be seen here.. hang in there.. moment by moment, if necessary! xo
# 29 Sep at 1:51 am
You know, you faced a huge fear looking after the two kids on your own. I hope you feel very proud of yourself because you had to face the worse case scenario. Look how amazing you were, despite how you were feeling. I think you were awesome!
So glad Aria is ok again and you were both able to return home.
God has provided you with some amazing mates over there, hasn’t He. Go Lord!
# 29 Sep at 4:53 pm
This just shows me how far you have come in your walk with the Lord since you first began this journey! So much to be thankful for. Remember your life is hid in Christ through whom nothing is impossible and through whom you can do all that he calls you to. Attitude did a fantastic job and its wonderful to see the returning life in Aria. Much love
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