Hazley's Heart Surgery

This fundraising effort is for my closest friend Nicki Maxson and her Husband Darrell.

Nicki and Darrell had already had a beautiful and precocious daughter named Adalynn when they welcomed their boy/girl twins, Hazley and Zander, on May 3rd, 2022. Hazley was promptly admitted to St. Vincent NICU for respiratory distress and low blood sugars upon delivery. She stayed there three nights before graduating from the NICU and being discharged back to her family in Mother Newborn.

At two weeks of Hazley’s life, it was decided she would be admitted once again to St. Vincent in the Pediatric wing as she was having trouble gaining weight and coordinating herself while bottling. While there, an echocardiogram was performed, revealing that she had pulmonary hypertension and several heart abnormalities. After three more nights in the hospital, Hazley would be discharged home with a nasogastric feeding tube and instructions to follow up outpatient with Cardiology. The family was hopeful that this would be something she could grow out of while being closely monitored.

By three weeks of life, it had appeared things were looking up. Hazley had gained one whole pound, and her nasogastric tube was withdrawn. However, at her first follow-up appointment at outpatient Cardiology, her echocardiogram showed worsening pulmonary hypertension, and as a result, they were referred to Children’s Hospital in Colorado. Nicki and Darrell made their way to Colorado, but due to strict COVID-19 rules, Addy would have to stay home in Montana with family. This would be the longest and farthest they had ever been away from their daughter.

Once she was assessed at Children’s Hospital, her nasogastric feeding tube was quickly replaced as she had been silently aspirating without it. It was here they would learn their newborn daughter would need open-heart surgery and a G-tube placed in her stomach. On June 22nd, Hazley victoriously triumphed through her first surgery. A G-tube was successfully placed so Hazley could safely get her milk and gain weight and strength for her upcoming open-heart surgery.

Sweet baby Hazley has been a warrior since the beginning. She has been fighting with every heartbeat with the unwavering support of her Mom, Dad, siblings, and immediate family. Her open heart surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, 6/29/2022. During this incredibly delicate surgery, they will be attempting to repair several congenital heart abnormalities, including an atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and aortic arch repair. As you can imagine, this has been an extremely unexpected and challenging time adjusting to being separated from their firstborn and facing the prospects for their new baby girl as a result of the unforeseen events happening. Please help us in supporting this incredibly strong and loving family with a donation to help cover medical and travel expenses during this time. Thank you for your time, love, care, and heartfelt prayers.