Hazel\'s Healing Fund
Donation protected
We were blessed when our sweet daughter Hazel Anne came into our lives April 9, 2011. She was the picture of perfect health and normal development until around four and a half months old when she began having an upset stomach nearly daily. We felt there was something terribly wrong when she became very inconsolable and then lethargic November 6, and we took Hazel to urgent care. Within three hours, we learned the truth- that the symptoms that many doctors had attributed to common reflux were actually the result of a tumor increasing the pressure in her brain. On November 9, she underwent 6 hour surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, much of the tumor was adhered tightly to her brain stem and cranial nerves to remove at that time without compromising her delicate state. Following the surgery, we received her diagnosis: Ependymoma Grade III, or Anaplastic Ependymoma. In terms of treatability, this is the best cancer diagnosis Hazel could receive given the location of the tumor.
The following weeks, Hazel recovered with beautiful strength, undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy in an attempt to loosen the tumor from the healthy tissue. On January 25, Hazel underwent a second resection- a surgery even longer than the first. Her doctors are optimistic that the remainder of the tumor was removed. The current plan is to undergo six weeks of radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells not removed during the surgery when she is able on her first birthday.
We have a lot of hope for Hazel's future and want to be able to give her as normal of childhood as possible given her situation. After careful consideration, and having had many friends ask how they can help, we have set up this website as a means of allowing our friends and family to contribute to Hazel's healing. Her fight against this cancer will be a long process, with years of followup, but we have set our goal with our anticipated out of pocket costs for her treatment through the end of this year. Thank you all so, so, much for your support.
The following weeks, Hazel recovered with beautiful strength, undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy in an attempt to loosen the tumor from the healthy tissue. On January 25, Hazel underwent a second resection- a surgery even longer than the first. Her doctors are optimistic that the remainder of the tumor was removed. The current plan is to undergo six weeks of radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells not removed during the surgery when she is able on her first birthday.
We have a lot of hope for Hazel's future and want to be able to give her as normal of childhood as possible given her situation. After careful consideration, and having had many friends ask how they can help, we have set up this website as a means of allowing our friends and family to contribute to Hazel's healing. Her fight against this cancer will be a long process, with years of followup, but we have set our goal with our anticipated out of pocket costs for her treatment through the end of this year. Thank you all so, so, much for your support.
Organizer
Emily Sievers
Organizer
