{"id":93,"date":"2025-07-22T12:28:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T12:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cota.org\/cotaforaidansbattle\/?p=93"},"modified":"2025-07-23T09:11:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:11:07","slug":"words-from-nichole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cota.org\/cotaforaidansbattle\/2025\/07\/22\/words-from-nichole\/","title":{"rendered":"Words from Nichole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Friends and Family,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been going back and forth about whether to share what\u2019s been going on with Aidan, but I\u2019ve come to realize\u2014we need all the love, support, and prayers we can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As some of you already know, this journey started back in February when Aidan was hospitalized for what we thought was pneumonia. It was<\/em> pneumonia, but during his stay, doctors discovered something much more serious. Aidan underwent a series of scans and MRIs, and we were referred to a pediatric liver specialist who works out of both NYU and Morristown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moment the doctor walked into the room, she asked to speak with me privately. That\u2019s when she shared that she believed Aidan has Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), a rare liver disease. In plain terms\u2014Aidan has stage four cirrhosis of the liver and will need a liver transplant. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Anyone who knows Aidan knows he\u2019s hardly ever sick. To suddenly be faced with something this serious, this life-altering, has been impossible to fully comprehend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after that, we went to NYU for further testing, and Aidan was placed on the transplant list. In the past few months, we\u2019ve had a few emergency trips to both NYU and Morristown due to infections caused by fluid buildup\u2014something that happens when the liver and spleen aren’t functioning well. It\u2019s been a scary, overwhelming time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then, two weeks ago, we received incredible news: an anonymous living donor has come forward, willing to donate a portion of their liver to Aidan. As of now, Aidan is stable and infection-free, making this the best possible moment for transplant. He is scheduled to be admitted on Monday, July 28<\/strong> for pre-operative testing, and the transplant is planned for Tuesday, July 29<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You never realize how strong you have to be as a parent until your child is sick and there\u2019s nothing you can do but hold their hand and show up, every single day. The first two weeks post-transplant will be critical\u2014Aidan will be in the ICU, followed by several weeks of follow-up care, three times a week. We’ll be staying in New York during that time (because if you know me, you know city driving is not my thing!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to acknowledge that not everyone may have heard this news directly from me or from someone close to us, and for that, I truly apologize. This has all unfolded quickly, and we wanted to wait until there was a clear plan in place before sharing something so deeply personal. Please know that this decision came from a place of love and focus on what was best for Aidan and our family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To those who have stood by us\u2014Aidan\u2019s MiMi Mary, brother Timmothy, sister-in-law Julia and Cameron, big sister Sydney, and Uncle Emad, we could not do this without you. To Vince, Nicci, Jude and Miles, thank you for brining the chaos to the circus! And to our extended circle of friends and family, we welcome your love and support now more than ever. We have partnered with the Children\u2019s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to assist Aidan and our family with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. The team at COTA has been nothing short of incredible\u2014working hand-in-hand with NYU and offering both Nichole and me amazing one-on-one support through every step of this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll do my best to keep everyone updated when I can. If I can\u2019t, please know a family member will. My heart, soul, and energy will be fully focused on helping Aidan heal and get through this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please keep us in your thoughts, and if you can, say a prayer for Aidan on the 29th. We know there\u2019s a rough road ahead\u2014but we also believe in what comes after: healing, recovery, and Aidan returning to his joyful, silly, vibrant self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With love and gratitude,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear Friends and Family, I\u2019ve been going back and forth about whether to share what\u2019s been going on with Aidan, but I\u2019ve come to realize\u2014we need all the love, support, and prayers we can get. 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