Hope for Hazel

Prior to Thanksgiving, Hazel had been mildly sick, typical colds, a runny nose, loss of appetite, low grade temp. That cleared up and then she kind of got it again, this time with a few more days of fever. We set up an appointment to see our pediatrician to make sure she didn't have an ear infection. The night before our appointment, she started limping, so of course we mentioned that at our appointment the next day. A couple of days later, I wrote the doctor and asked how long to expect the limp, though it was improving as was her clinical picture (no more fever, appetite was back, etc). THANK GOD our doctor still decided to do labs and an xray even though the limp had resolved, I even questioned the necessity of it at the time. We are so thankful we got the xray. The xray came back abnormal which led to an MRI for better images. The MRI also came back abnormal too, with high suspicions of cancer. We spent our Thanksgiving deep in fear of this diagnosis. We're trying to feel grateful that we got an xray early, even after the limp had resolved. She looked completely healthy! Without that xray, it could have been several more months of tumor growth.... so we're grateful for God giving her that limp to lead us straight to the part of her body that is sick.

We met with an oncologist Friday after Thanksgiving, and we were informed of a malignant tumor in her left pelvis. They wasted no time and started further testing that day.

We return Monday (11/29) for the biopsy for the official diagnosis and staging. Thursday (12/2) we'll meet again to discuss findings and make a plan with treatment likely starting immediately.

Rachel recently returned to work after her maternity leave and therefore has no remaining PTO for additional time off. Because of this, job security is unknown which also means health insurance may end.

Prior to this overwhelming situation, Ryan, Hazel’s dad, is scheduled to have a complex heart procedure in Salt Lake City on 12/8.

This page was started to help with these unforeseen expenses and possible loss of income and health insurance.

Thank you for your prayers and support.