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Bella Brave, a 10-year-old TikToker known for sharing her journey with significant health challenges, has been placed in a medically induced coma. Bella Thomson, as she is known in real life, was intubated in the ICU, her mother Kyla revealed on social media.
"They've told us they don't know if she'll survive this," Kyla wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post on July 9. "I know she will. I know she has an army praying for her."
Bella has gained a following by documenting her struggles with Hirschsprung's disease, a condition affecting the bowel, and severe combined immunodeficiency. Recently, she battled a lung infection that her mother feared had developed into Bronchiolitis Obliterans, commonly known as "popcorn lung," a chronic and irreversible condition.
Initially, Bella showed signs of resilience, impressing doctors by sitting up and chatting despite requiring 100% oxygen support through a bipap machine. "She mesmerized the doctors," Kyla shared, noting Bella's extraordinary strength. However, Bella's condition quickly deteriorated.
"We started the lung steroids but then her ability to keep her own energy up enough to expand her lungs to breathe was getting harder," Kyla explained. Bella lost four pounds in a single day as her body struggled, leading to increased CO2 levels and delirium.
Doctors decided to sedate and intubate Bella to stabilize her before her condition worsened further. "It gutted me to see her so alert asking for something to drink but having to tell her they need to give her 'sleepy medicine' first to fix her lungs," Kyla recounted. "I then reassured her that after her nap we will have lots to drink. After that I couldn't breathe or see from crying so much."
Despite the severity of the situation, Kyla remains hopeful. Bella's lungs, though stiff and difficult to expand, look perfect inside. "They will figure out why & they will fix it, I refuse to believe anything less," Kyla declared.
Bella's story has touched many hearts, and her fans have rallied to support her. "I don't have words," one user commented under Kyla's post. "Just know that so many are thinking, praying, sending healing energy and holding your family close to our hearts." Another follower shared, "I am on vacation and yesterday I purposely drove to a beautiful chapel to pray for Bella."
As Bella Brave fights for her life, the outpouring of love and prayers from her followers continues to provide strength to her and her family.
