Sick girl's condition worsens as she awaits lungs


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A family spokeswoman says a dying 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl's condition has worsened as she awaits a lung transplant.

A federal court judge granted a temporary order on Wednesday that will allow Sarah Murnaghan, who has cystic fibrosis and desperately needs new lungs, to join an adult organ transplant list.

The judge has scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for June 14, MyFoxPhilly reported.

On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the family stated that Sarah's condition had worsened, according to the Associated Press. No further details were immediately available.

Judge Michael Baylson made his ruling after hearing oral arguments on a federal lawsuit filed by Sarah's parents, challenging the "Under 12 Rule" that was keeping the 10-year-old off the adult transplant list.

Baylson's order tells Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to direct the group that manages the organ transplant list to cease application of it in Sarah's case.

And if there is another child in the judicial district in Sarah's situation, the judge would consider and probably grant a temporary restraining order for them, too, if the case is presented in court.

Shortly following the judge's ruling, HHS said in a statement it "declines to comment on [the] ongoing legal matter."

In a statement issued late Wednesday afternoon, the family said, "We are experiencing many emotions: relief, happiness, gratitude and, for the first time in months: hope."

It adds, "We cannot say enough about the global outreach and support we've received on behalf of Sarah -- people of all ages and walks of life have reached out to us, prayed for us, and asked how they could help."

The Newtown Square family is challenging organ transplant rules that say children under age 12 must wait for pediatric lungs to become available. The Murnaghans say that rarely happens, and they want the rule changed for all children in Sarah's situation.

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There is a reason for that under 12 rule (i guess). If she dies after she gets the lungs, do they go to someone who can actually use them?

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but wont these be wasted on her? she is 10 and already dying of CF ? the lungs that wont even fit her body correctly could go to someone with a better chance of living a healthy life and who they actually match...

some of you may call me an ass ... but I dont look at some one and go "oh its a child" its a life ... and a decision ... the best decision would be to give them to someone who wont need another set in the next 10 years ? looking at this with logic and a brain not a "soul"

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Shame they can't clone her lungs.

oh they can... its just not within her medical insurance ... (no joke ) if she had the money they could probably make her a set ...

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Shame they can't clone her lungs.

It's coming. Unfortunately not soon enough for this poor girl.

Meanwhile:

About 29,000 children under the age of five ? 21 each minute ? die every day, mainly from preventable causes.

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I think the biggest problem is sebelius' indifference. When something doesn't concern us, we tend to not have the feelings to recognize this little girl is someones little girl.

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I think the biggest problem is sebelius' indifference. When something doesn't concern us, we tend to not have the feelings to recognize this little girl is someones little girl.

100% true... but sadly I would rather remain selfish and care about my self or the ones close to me... this allows me to be able to look at this kind of situation with a logical mind... emotions may drive people to begin researching or studying a field which gets us places ... but when it comes down to it emotions have no place in modern medical practice, they get in the way in situations like these.

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I think the biggest problem is sebelius' indifference. When something doesn't concern us, we tend to not have the feelings to recognize this little girl is someones little girl.

Few people want to donate the organs of their recently deceased kids.

They are upset enough over the death.

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I think the biggest problem is sebelius' indifference. When something doesn't concern us, we tend to not have the feelings to recognize this little girl is someones little girl.

The sad truth is that the rules for organ transplants are there for one single reason: the shortage of organs. Because of that, the organs are affected on a maximum efficiency basis: if you are compatible and have a good chance to survive after the transplant operation. This is an awful choice and this is why there are organ transplant committees with doctors who have to evaluate if a patient can receive a transplantation.

It is one of this awful choice where you can save only one person out of several others. And all these person are sisters, mothers, daughters, brothers, fathers, sons to someone else.

I know that: a very good friend of my father died waiting for a heart transplant. I know someone who gave voluntarily one of her kidneys to her sister because it was not a good idea to wait.

If you want to do something for that little girl or anyone who can be saved with an organ transplant, please, fill a organ donor card and let the people near you what they should do if ever you died.

I do not wish anyone to die but, if there is one ultimate act of human, selfless kindness to do, that is the one.

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Sarah Murnaghan, the dying 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl awaiting a lung transplant, was intubated on Saturday after she experienced additional trouble breathing.

A federal court judge granted a temporary order on June 5 that will allow Sarah, who has cystic fibrosis and desperately needs new lungs, to join an adult organ transplant list.

Sarah required intubation on Saturday due to difficulty breathing, but since then, her condition has improved, according to a statement from her mother, Janet Murnaghan.

"Sarah's heart has been the biggest win since intubation. Her pulmonary hypertension, caused by lung disease, has greatly improved with the ventilator," Janet stated. "All her other organs are fairing well. She is a great, strong candidate for transplant still."

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If you want to do something for that little girl or anyone who can be saved with an organ transplant, please, fill a organ donor card and let the people near you what they should do if ever you died.

I do not wish anyone to die but, if there is one ultimate act of human, selfless kindness to do, that is the one.

If there's one thing that makes me angry when it comes to donor cards, it's that families can and do override the wishes of the deceased, even when they're carrying a valid donor card.

As far as I'm concerned, carrying a signed donor card means YOU have agreed, and nobody should be allowed to override that.

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Janet stated. "All her other organs are fairing well. She is a great, strong candidate for transplant still. Come on lungs!"

This seems a bit disturbing -- she in effect, is wishing that someone else dies.

Janet stated. "All her other organs are fairing well. She is a great, strong candidate for transplant still. Come on lungs!"

This seems a bit disturbing -- she in effect, is wishing that someone else dies.

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Girl, 10, getting lung transplant

Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl with cystic fibrosis whose family fought to have her prioritized for adult organs, is getting a new set of lungs, her family told CNN on Wednesday.

Sarah was in surgery Wednesday morning.

"God is great! He moved the mountain! Sarah got THE CALL," a statement on her Facebook page said. "Please pray for Sarah's donor, her HERO, who has given her the gift of life."

The parents' push for an organ transplant policy change has thrust the issue of who gets donated organs into the national spotlight.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/12/health/pennsylvania-girl-transplant/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

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God!? Yeah, he's really great, isn't he? He went and killed someone else so that their lungs could be put into this little girl. Such a niiiiiice guy. :rolleyes:

Personally, I'd have just not made the girl sick in the first place, and had TWO people live, but what do I know? I'm just a mere mortal who does nice things and couldn't possibly understand the motives of an all powerful superbeing who gets off on torturing its creations.

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  • 2 months later...

Update:

Her first transplant failed, something wrong with the organs, but she had another and today she's going home. Of course she'll be on anti-rejection drugs and have to be careful about infections etc., but that's a lot better than the alternative.

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