Hazel’s Journey to Healing: Courage, Faith, and the Fight for Life.1264

Goodbye Ohio. The familiar streets, the comfort of home, and the brief moments of peace will have to wait. Tomorrow, Hazel and her family will head to New York City for a Friday morning appointment — a critical step in her ongoing battle against neuroblastoma. What was expected to be a leisurely return home until Sunday suddenly became an urgent journey. For Hazel, every mile traveled is a testament to the challenges she faces and the courage she carries in her tiny frame.

One of the immediate goals of this trip is to address Hazel’s weight. Like many children undergoing intensive treatment, she struggles with weight loss, and her body needs extra support to endure the grueling rounds of chemo-immunotherapy. Her medical team plans to start TPN — total parenteral nutrition — to provide her with the nutrients she needs while minimizing the discomfort of feeling overly full. This approach offers a delicate balance: supporting her body’s growth without taking away her appetite, and helping her maintain strength through the nausea and vomiting that often accompany treatment.

For Hazel’s parents, the logistics of this journey are immense. Packing up four children in the early hours of the morning, traveling to New York City, attending appointments, and then returning to care for all seven children is no small feat. Tim, Hazel’s father, balances the responsibilities of feeding, bathing, helping with homework, and bedtime routines alongside the emotional weight of seeing his daughter endure intense treatments. The physical exhaustion is immense, yet his resolve is unwavering. 😴

Through it all, prayer remains central to the family’s strength. They ask for divine intervention in every aspect of Hazel’s care: for her weight gain, for control of nausea and vomiting, for bowel management, and above all, for healing — both of her cancer and of her body. They pray that the second round of chemo-immunotherapy will be effective, that it will truly “melt” some of the cancer, and that Hazel might become one of the first long-term survivors. They also ask for comfort and effective pain control during treatment, acknowledging the extreme physical toll it takes on her tiny body. 🩷💜

The family’s concerns extend beyond medical challenges. Hazel’s body struggles to gain weight despite eating a variety of foods. Options like NG tubes, G tubes, and other feeding interventions have been considered, but for now, TPN offers the best chance to nourish her effectively without compromising her comfort or appetite. When nausea and vomiting strike, TPN will allow her to receive essential nutrients even when oral intake is limited — a lifeline in the storm of treatment side effects.

While the trip to New York may last until October 20th, with only brief windows to return home, every day in the hospital is an opportunity for care, monitoring, and treatment. Each infusion, each test, and each scan brings both challenges and hope. Even in the most difficult moments, Hazel’s spirit shines through — playful when she can, resting when she must, and enduring each treatment with remarkable bravery.

Hazel’s story is more than a battle with cancer. It is a testament to faith, resilience, and the extraordinary bond of family. Each prayer, each hug, each small victory — whether it’s a gained pound, a peaceful night of sleep, or a moment of laughter amidst the pain — carries immense significance. Her journey reminds everyone that courage comes in many forms, often quiet and unseen, but always powerful.

As Hazel travels to New York, her parents and loved ones ask for prayers from all who can offer them: prayers for healing, for strength, for comfort, and for the effectiveness of her treatments. God is their ultimate healer, and they trust in His plan. Hazel needs not just treatment, but restoration — of her body, her strength, and her hope. Every mile traveled, every treatment endured, every prayer lifted is a step closer to a brighter future for this little warrior.

Hazel is more than a patient; she is a beacon of hope, a symbol of courage, and a reminder that even the smallest fighters can face immense challenges with unwavering determination. Her journey continues, and with every prayer and every act of love, Hazel’s family stands strong beside her, ready to fight for her life, her health, and her future. 💜