Little Baby Hazel

Little Baby Hazel Update:

Hazel went in for her second surgery where they undertook a balloon dilation, and it went well. Her airway, unfortunately, was still too narrow as she also had subglottic stenosis along with the glottic webbing, which is narrowing of her airway. They returned her with the breathing tube still and wanted to give her some more time.

They were happy to wait and see how she would go. Little Hazel undertook a 3rd surgery on last Thursday, where she had an LTR, which is a Laryngotracheal reconstruction. Usually, they would use a patients rib, but she's far too small. So they used a piece of cartilage from the top of her throat that we don't really require and placed that in to hopefully open up her airway. We won't know if this has been successful until they go back in this Thursday to have another look.

We have everything crossed that the graft has taken and stayed in place with no slipping ❤️

Thank you all for your continued love and support for our little Hazel we are truely thankful.

On the 8th May 2025, we welcomed our beautiful niece Hazel Faye Alicia Jackman into our family.

Welcoming a newborn is a joyous occasion, but Bridget and Damien have been unable to announce this wonderful news to the world as they have spent the last week in special care with Hazel.

Yesterday, the decision was made for Hazel to be medivac to Melbourne for treatment, and her parents were given the news that she would have to undergo surgery today.

Today, Hazel undertook her first of what appears could be a few surgeries and as part of the treatment has been placed under heavy sedation for the time being with a breathing tube, while her team work out their next steps.

As you can imagine, Bridget and Damien will remain by her side whilst they wait for more information on Hazel’s condition and her next surgery.

Hazel will need to be in Melbourne for at least the next 4 weeks while she undergoes further treatment, and this means that Bridget and Damien will need to be in Melbourne to support her and this means that they will be away from their existing children.

We know that both will never ask for help. However, we know how hard this will be for them both emotionally and financially.

We are asking for any assistance to make the financial needs for both a little easier through this rough time as Damien needs to take time off work and doesn't receive leave during this time and Bridget works for herself and hasn't started receiving any maternity pay yet.

All funds raised will support any travel, accommodation, and general living expenses until they can return to work. If you are in a position to provide assistance or to share their story, we would be extremely grateful.