Shannon Foster and Nick McLaren were by daughter Arabella’s side in hospital for months after she born with several complications.

A young family spent nearly a year in an Edinburgh hospital as their baby daughter recovered from life-saving surgery.

After an “indescribable” 11-month stay at the Ronald McDonald House Edinburgh, Shannon Foster and Nick McLaren, both 25, were finally discharged with their daughter Arabella on March 17. Now, they are raising funds for the charity that became their “temporary family home”.

Shannon and Nick, from Fife, welcomed Arabella into the world early last year, only to discover she was born with several medical complications, including hydrops—a life-threatening condition that causes severe fluid build-up in newborns.

“When I was pregnant, doctors told us Arabella would need to stay in the hospital for a month or two,” Shannon recalled. “Even that seemed overwhelming at the time. I never imagined it would turn into an 11-month stay, nor did I know Ronald McDonald House would become our home during it all.”

At just two days old, Arabella underwent the first of many surgeries, reports Edinburgh Live. She was admitted to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, where she remained for months as she recovered.

With their newborn facing a long hospital stay, Shannon and Nick had nowhere to stay nearby. They soon found solace in Ronald McDonald House Edinburgh, which provides free accommodation for families of children undergoing long-term treatment, eliminating the stress of travel and lodging costs.

After six months in the PCCU, Arabella was moved to the Dunvegan ward. While a step toward recovery, this also meant that only one parent could stay with her overnight. Once again, Ronald McDonald House ensured the couple could remain close to their daughter while still being together as a family.

Finally, after 359 days in the hospital, Arabella was discharged—just in time for her first birthday on March 23.

“We know there are more hospital stays ahead of us for future surgeries,” Shannon said. “But knowing we have Ronald McDonald House gives us peace of mind. It allows us to focus entirely on Arabella without the added worry of accommodations and travel.”

“We could never thank them enough for giving us the opportunity to spend every waking moment with our beautiful baby girl. Arabella is now the happiest, cheekiest little girl, and she’s thriving despite everything she has been through.”

Determined to give back, Shannon and Nick have launched a fundraiser and are taking on a charity skydive to support Ronald McDonald House Edinburgh, ensuring other families receive the same help they did. Click here to donate.