Hazel Grace, Cassandra and Erik needs our help.

Hello My name is Debbie Hagan and I am doing a gofundme for my daughter and son-in-law Cassandra Ann and Erik Darling for their daughter, Hazel Grace. For ongoing medical bills and surgeries for Hazel. Whatever you could do would be so appreciated whetherits prayers, just sharing this or donating. God bless you all❤️❤️

Hazel Grace Darling’s Story

I am setting this Go-Fund-Me page up on behalf of my daughter, Cassandra Darling, and her husband, Erik Darling. They are unaware that I am setting this account up for them. The Darlings will be heading back to Boston for another surgery for their daughter, Hazel Grace Darling. Here is a summary of Hazel Grace’s life since she was born:

Hazel Grace Darling was born on July 28th, 2022 with a Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Esophageal Atresia (TEF/EA) (Detached Esophagus with Fistula attached to her Trachea), a Tracheomalacia, and a Laryngeal Cleft. Due to her rare condition, Hazel Grace underwent multiple surgeries, multiple placements of chest tubes, several tests, procedures, and examinations. These surgeries were performed at Maria Ferari’s Children’s Hospital, as well as Boston Children’s Hospital.

On October 5, 2022, Hazel Grace received her third surgery in attempt to repair her esophagus. Dr. Benjamin Zendejas-Mummert and his surgical team did the impossible and was able to successful repair Hazel’s esophagus. Weeks later, while Hazel began to recover and thrive, she was discharged from the NICU and was send to a Post-Op Room, where she could continue her treatments. On November 12, 2022, Hazel was discharged from Boston Children’s Hospital and after 108 days, she finally arrived home to be with her family. Unfortunately, that was not the end of their hospital visits. On November 28, 2022, Hazel was driven back to Boston for her monthly check-ups and because the GJ tube in her stomach was severely leaking. Hazel underwent another surgery where her GJ tube was removed and her stomach and site where repaired. While in the Hospital, Hazel got sick and tested positive for Covid, which prolonged her surgery. On December 1, 2022, after a few days, Hazel was again discharged from Boston.

Today, Hazel is home, attending daycare, and growing up so fast! Unfortunately, since being home, she has been getting sick often, battling things like COVID (twice), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Coxsackie Virus (Hands, Mouth, and Feet Disease), Strep, Flu, and other sicknesses. Despite being sick so often, Hazel Grace is a happy girl and growing up so fast! Erik and Cassandra have been worried about her getting sick so often, so they reached out to Boston to discuss their concerns. The Surgical, Feeds, Nutrition, and Sick teams, all assigned to Hazel Grace in Boston, all met and came to the conclusion that Hazel will need yet another surgery.

On January 25, 2024, the Darling’s will be making the trip back to Boston for another surgery for Hazel. This time, her surgery will consist of having a Posterior Aortapexy, Bronchoscopy, CT scan with Anesthesia, and a possible Nissen Fundoplication. An Aortapexy is a surgical procedure in which the aortic arch is fixated to the sternum, which could help alleviate her breathing issues. The surgical team will also have to move her Aorta artery, which is currently compressing on her airway, making it harder for Hazel to breathe. While Hazel Grace is under anesthesia, they will look at her esophagus as well to see if she will need dilation, which widens the diameter of her esophagus in order for her not to choke.

They will be in Boston for a few weeks, but possibly longer, depending on Hazel’s recovery. If the surgical team in Boston warrants that the Nissen surgery is needed, they will be there for a lot longer.

Erik and Cassandra Darling could be faced with paying for hotel expenses, food, gas to travel, medical costs, lifelong medication costs, and long-term costs to pay for the after effects from her surgeries. They have had help in the past from different foundations, such as: Angels of Light Foundation in the Hudson Valley, The Ryan McElroy Foundation, and DC 10-13 Foundation. These foundations are incredible and still help the Darlings when needed. I am setting up this go-fund-me page to ensure that the Darlings are financially covered during their time needed to attend to Hazel’s surgery and recovery. Anything you can give will help them get through this! Thank you and sending love to you all.