Aubrey Fighting On ECMO From RSV

Aubrey was born a healthy, thriving baby but at 4 months old she contracted RSV. After being turned away multiple times by her pediatrician and once from the ED my sister followed not only her mama gut but her nurse intuition and went back to the ED- Aubrey was then admitted to the PICU on high flow and eventually bipap. After a week Aubrey seemed to be getting better and we were planning for discharge but overnight she took a turn for the worst. She was intubated and placed on 100% ventilator support followed by an oscillator because the vent could no longer support her. October 20th is a day that will forever stay ingrained in our minds due to ARDS Aubrey was then placed on VA ECMO bedside and life flighted to Shands hospital in Gainesville. ECMO is a type of artificial life support that can help a person whose lungs and heart aren’t functioning correctly. This process continuously pumps blood out of your body and sends it through a series of devices that add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The machine then pumps your blood back into your body. At Shands we found that the reason she had become so sick was because she had contracted legionella bacteria and necrotizing pneumonia from MRSA. Aubrey has since been switched to VV ECMO and had a tracheotomy placed. Aubrey is fighting for her life. So many ups and downs on ECMO. She has now been hospitalized for 111 days and on ECMO for a total of 100 days. Aubrey’s most recent CT scan showed no change. Every doctor who comes in states they have never seen lungs like hers. This past week we’ve been in many discussions with lung transplant team, palliative care, and her primary team. We’ve decided to keep fighting for Aubrey on ECMO and pray her lungs have regrowth. Aubrey has the best parents in the world. My sister from the beginning has been Aubrey’s biggest advocate and caregiver. She has not left her side or stepped in her home for 111 days.. my heart aches for her every second. Aubrey is the most special baby, a miracle has to happen for her. Please continue to pray for our beautiful girl. We need her home. thank you for the immense support received.