A remarkable nine-year-old girl from Canada, known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, recently underwent a life-saving bowel transplant after battling a rare disease since birth. Bella, born with a genetic spontaneous mutation of three rare diseases, faced severe health challenges, including Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Hirschsprung’s Disease, and Dwarfism.
Bella’s mother, Kyla Thomson, expressed her relief at the successful transplant after years of uncertainty and fear. “We were so used to living in fear and not knowing if she would survive without this transplant,” she shared. Witnessing Bella’s strength and resilience, Thomson marveled at how her daughter faced adversity with courage and a positive outlook.
At just three days old, Bella underwent her first surgery, which marked the beginning of a long battle. Within her first year, she went through approximately 30 operations and spent most of her early life in hospitals. Despite facing life-threatening situations, Bella has amazed healthcare professionals by surviving septic shock four times.
Reflecting on her journey, Thomson expressed her frustration at the lack of options available to help her daughter. “Within Bella’s first year of life in the hospital, everything being so rare… I was very angry… No one could fix it,” Thomson shared. However, she found solace in the strength of other parents and caregivers she met along the way, recognizing that some had experienced heart-wrenching losses.
The Thomsons turned to TikTok as a platform to share their journey, spreading joy and laughter to their viewers while advocating for medical families and children with rare diseases. Their videos quickly gained popularity, capturing the hearts of millions of people worldwide.
In June, the family received devastating news that a bowel transplant was no longer a safe option for Bella. However, they remained resolute, vowing to keep their brave spirit alive. In August, after three long years on the transplant waitlist, they received a phone call that changed their lives. The team at SickKids in Toronto had found a collateral vessel, making the transplant possible.
Bella’s surgery was a success, and she astounded everyone by surpassing expectations in her recovery. Within days, she was already walking and enjoying simple pleasures like feeding pigeons outside the hospital. Bella’s strength and determination continue to inspire her family and followers as she navigates the next phase of her recovery.
As Bella gradually reintroduces new foods into her diet, her family embraces each day with gratitude and hope. The road ahead may present challenges, but Bella’s miraculous journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering support of loved ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What rare diseases does Bella Brave have?
Bella Brave was born with a genetic spontaneous mutation of three rare diseases: Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Hirschsprung’s Disease, and Dwarfism.
How did Bella’s journey begin?
Bella underwent her first surgery at only three days old, and her early life was spent in hospitals, undergoing approximately 30 operations.
How did Bella’s TikTok journey begin?
The Thomsons turned to TikTok as a platform to share their story, aiming to spread joy and raise awareness for medical families and children with rare diseases.
Was Bella able to receive a bowel transplant?
After three years on the transplant waitlist, Bella received the long-awaited phone call. The transplant was made possible thanks to a collateral vessel identified by the medical team.
How is Bella’s recovery progressing?
Despite the initial expectation of a long surgery, Bella’s transplantation procedure took eight hours. She has already surpassed recovery goals, such as standing and walking, and continues to make remarkable progress in her journey to better health.