Breathing new life - Austons Heart & Lung Transplant Journey

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Breathing new life - Austons Heart & Lung Transplant Journey

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Born with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension, Scimitar Syndrome and Eisenmenger Syndrome… it’s time to follow Auston through his pre and post Heart & Lung transplant journey ~ 18 years in the making!!

16/01/2026

Another amazing Sydney trip done and dusted for the month, and what a successful one it was! 🙌
Today brought such fantastic news — Auston completed a full set of lung function tests and absolutely smashed every single one of them! He’s sitting at around 85% lung function, which the team classifies as almost perfect 🤩

We also made a special visit back to Royal Prince Alfred to see Auston’s original cardiologist — the first time since March last year when we left the city after transplant. It was incredibly special to show her just how healthy and glowing he is, and to thank her again for all the tireless months of advocacy that helped get him listed. So much gratitude 💙

We even snuck through RPA ICU to visit the ECMO team and were greeted by so many familiar, friendly faces who were beyond excited to see just how far Auston has come. Such a full-circle moment 🥹

To top it all off, our flight home was on time and we had a smooth landing back into Coffs Harbour despite the wild weather — the perfect ending to a beautiful, positive day ✈️🌤️

31/12/2025

🌟 **THIS KID!!!** ⭐️

What an adventure 2025 has been, and you’ve all been here walking alongside us every step of the way! 🫶

This year has possibly been the most remarkable in the history of years.

On January 8th, we witnessed our beautiful, fragile boy receive his new heart and lungs, transforming his life in that moment and the lives of everyone around him. We are forever grateful to the donor and their family for this incredible gift.

Additionally, we were blessed with over $20,000 in donations from friends, family, and even strangers across the country. This support helped us navigate an incredibly challenging time, and we still appreciate it beyond words. ❤️

Auston has achieved incredible milestones this year! From leaving the hospital at 45 kg to gaining 15 kg, he has shown zero signs of rejection over the past 12 months, consistently acing his lung function tests, and thriving even through influenza A and B. He got his driver’s license, can walk—and even run—for hours, and just doesn’t stop! It’s mind-blowing to witness! 🤯🤩

Every day, we are filled with immense gratitude for how this year has unfolded for Auston and our family. It’s truly unbelievable.

Thank you to everyone who reached out, sent positive vibes, offered warm wishes and donated to our family. Your support has meant the world to us.

This year wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of you. We love and appreciate you all! ❤️

Here’s to the end of 2025 and to 2026 being another incredible year!

07/11/2025

✨ It’s that time of the month again—our journey to Sydney is here! ✈️

We are offically TEN months post transplant and I’m thrilled to share some fantastic news! 🥳 Lung functions are looking amazing and improving every day. The chest X-ray is clear, Auston continues to gain weight, and we’re still seeing ZERO signs of rejection!

Auston recently faced the challenge of Influenza A, but true to form, he sailed through it effortlessly, just like before, with no complications! What a true champion he is! 💪

Every day, I’m reminded that we waited for the perfect set of lungs and a beautiful heart for him. I’m endlessly grateful for this incredible gift of life for my boy. ❤️ Here’s to more adventures and continued health and awesomeness 🥰🥰🥰

19/10/2025

✨Happy 19th Birthday to Auston! ✨

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, we were celebrating Auston’s 18th birthday at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, awaiting a transplant and navigating such a challenging time. Fast forward 12 months, and here we are, celebrating not just another year of life but the incredible journey we have taken since then.

This past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Auston tackled life head-on, achieving milestones that we had only ever dreamt of. From recently acquiring his learner’s driver’s license to attending appointments in Sydney solo—without his mama by his side—my boy continues to show immense independence and strength. Each goal he kicks is a testament to his resilience and determination, proving that he can accomplish what we all felt may have been impossible.

Time has flown by so quickly, and it’s almost astonishing to think about how much life has changed and how much Auston has grown and experienced in just one year.

He has not only overcome some of life’s biggest challenges but has thrived in ways that continue to inspire those around him every day.

Today, we celebrate Auston. His courage, spirit, and journey are an incredible reminder of how precious life is. Here’s to more adventures, more goals, and more memories in the year ahead! We love you beyond words, my boy! 💖

12/09/2025

From daily… to weekly… to monthly updates — here we are again with another chapter in our main man’s unbelievable journey! 💪❤️

Yesterday we had the privilege of heading to the Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore for the ECMO symposium, where the amazing team from RPA invited Auston to share his experience of mobilising while on ECMO. Nerves and all, he stood tall in front of a room full of friendly faces from RPA, St Vincent’s, and beyond — sharing his story with courage and heart. 🌟 It was such a gift to reconnect with some of the incredible people who played such a huge role in his ECMO journey and ultimately his path to transplant.

Then today it was back to St Vincent’s, where the team continues to be blown away by his progress. 🙌 Recent tests searching for antibodies that could signal rejection? Clear. Zero. None! 💯 The wins just keep coming.

Since transplant, Auston has put on an incredible 17.5kg and is looking stronger and healthier than ever — proof of just how far he’s come. 💥

And next month marks a huge milestone: he’ll be flying to Sydney without his mumzy - tackling this adventure all on his own. From a boy who was never left unsupervised… to a man free to roam the earth. 🌍✨

What a glorious, hope-filled life we lead ❤️❤️❤️

01/08/2025

Auston Update! 💪❤️

We were back at St Vincent’s today for Auston’s routine check-up with his incredible transplant team – and our boy just keeps on kicking goals! 🌟

He’s recently battled Influenza B (because why not throw a flu into the mix!) and, true to form, he kicked arse – only suffered mildly and is recovering really well. 💥👏

We’re still working on getting his tacrolimus levels just right, and today he officially transitioned to a once-a-day dosage to see if that helps with stability.

Other than that, he’s absolutely thriving. His strength, resilience, and attitude continue to inspire us every single day. 💖

Thank you so much to everyone who’s cheering him on – your love and support mean the world! 💕

04/07/2025

💥 Update time for our legend Auston! 💥

Back at St Vincent’s today for routine check-ups with the transplant dream team — and we’re thrilled to report that everything is still going brilliantly for our boy! 🙌

His heart is ticking like a Swiss watch, and those new lungs? Absolutely thriving! 💓💨
His lung function is currently smashing expectations for this stage of recovery — even the doctors are doing happy dances (we assume… silently… behind their clipboards). 🕺🩺

Now, we’re still navigating the rollercoaster that is anti-rejection meds — lots of tweaking and monitoring — but the best news? No signs of rejection! 🎉

Kidneys? Still a bit grumpy, but holding steady — and in transplant world, that’s a win! 🥇

Outside the hospital bubble, Auston’s been making the most of life at 18 — friends, festivities, freedom, and finding his own rhythm again. After everything he’s been through, he’s absolutely earned every second of it. 🌟

Thank you for continuing to cheer him on — your support means the world to us 💛💙

And donuts. Just because 🍩

05/06/2025

For 18 years we’ve been driving the very long trip between Valla and Sydney for check ups!

Today, we fly!!

04/05/2025

It’s hard to put into words what the last several months have been like, but as I finally have a quiet moment to reflect, I wanted to share with you all a (not short 😅) video of our journey and give you an update on our incredible boy!

On October 11th, 2024, our lives were changed forever when Auston suffered a cardiac arrest at home and was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Just over a month later, on November 14th, he was placed on ECMO—a critical and intense form of life support. For 54 days, we lived moment to moment, holding on to hope.

On January 8th, we were given the most miraculous gift - a beautiful healthy heart and two incredible new lungs. A second chance at life for our beautiful boy. Now, nearly four months post-transplant, I can finally say those days feel a little further behind us.

Throughout it all, we’ve been lifted and carried by a community that spans the country—family, friends, and even strangers here on Facebook—who stood beside us with unwavering love, prayers, and support. Your kind words, messages, and generosity have meant the world to us 🫶

Because of your support, I was able to stay by Auston’s side through every moment—something I will never take for granted. Only last week did I return to work, and I know we couldn’t have made it through this time without your help. From GoFundMe donations, fundraisers, and personal contributions, we are forever grateful. Truly, from the bottom of our hearts—thank you ❤️

And now, for the best news!!
Auston’s latest biopsy showed ZERO signs of rejection. ZERO!
He’s living a normal teenage life - catching up with friends, and preparing to get his driver’s license!

Life has changed in a way we never could have imagined, and while the road was long and filled with uncertainty, we’ve arrived at today with hope, gratitude, and so much love in our hearts.

To everyone who’s followed his journey—you’ve helped write his story of survival and strength and we are so, so thankful.

With all our love

❤️

05/04/2025

✨SURPRISE welcome home gathering ✨

Hello beautiful people - we are heading down to the Nambucca Golf Club today at 3pm to hold a little “welcome home” gathering for Auston!

Nothing formal, just a space for all his mates and people who’d love to see his gorgeous face to come say hey in a casual setting!

It’s a beautiful day and Austons feeling well so if you’re out and about and would like to come say hey, everyone’s arriving around 3 and we will be there around 3:15!

We just ask that you don’t come if you are feeling or have been unwell 🙏

Ps. So far no one had let it slip to Auston!
I know he has a few of his friends on this page so let’s keep it hush hush!! 😅 thanks guys!

❤️

02/04/2025

✨ Guess who’s home?!?!? 🤩 We are!!✨

After six long months in Sydney, we are so incredibly grateful and overjoyed to let you guys know that Auston and I are finally back home in beautiful Valla Beach!

It’s been such a long journey, we’re slowly settling back into normal life, finding our feet and embracing being back with our beautiful family!! 🥰

Auston is doing amazing – his recovery is going better than we could have ever hoped for. We truly feel blessed to see him thriving and living his best life!

That being said, our journey isn’t quite over.. We’ll still be traveling to Sydney every two weeks for appointments with the transplant team to ensure everything continues going smoothly. This will continue for the foreseeablee future..

Next week, Auston will be having a biopsy of his lungs to check for any signs of rejection, but other than that, we’re celebrating his amazing progress!

To all of you – our amazing family, friends, and Facebook followers – your love, support, encouragement, and well wishes have meant the world to us throughout this entire journey. We honestly couldn’t have done it without you.
This day, this moment of coming home, is something we’ve all worked so hard towards, and your unwavering support has been a huge part of that. 🫶

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We’re looking forward to this next chapter with hope and gratitude in our hearts. 💕

So much love from both of us xx

Ps. Can’t wait to share the incredible pictures with everyone shortly!!

25/03/2025

Being immersed in the daily rollercoaster of hospital life, it’s easy to forget just how vast and impactful this experience has truly been.

What an incredible and mind-blowing journey it’s been as a parent. I can barely fathom what it has been like to walk this road in Auston’s shoes. 💙

I’ve been sharing my updates with you all from a place of optimism and hope—because that’s the mum hat I wear. But to be completely honesty —there have been days that felt far from hopeful but as we approach the end of our “post-transplant” journey, I find myself reflecting on the past 6 months.

I scroll through photos, in awe of how life can change so quickly, so completely - not just for Auston, but for all of us as a family. Life will forever be changed for us Babula’s.

I can’t wait to share the pictures with you all that tell the story—from the beginning to the incredible end of this life-changing journey 📸✨ that honestly wouldn’t have been the same without you all on team!

We appreciate you.

Watch this space 🤩

Address

Valla Beach, NSW

Website

https://www.gofundme.com/f/austons-new-heart-and-lungs-to-be-born-again?utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&utm_cam

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