Azalea's Brave Battle: Support for Surgery and Recovery

Hi, my name is Katie, and I'm reaching out to ask for your help in supporting my brother, Dane, his wife, Clare, and their brave daughter, Azalea.

Azalea was born with a rare congenital condition known as Pentalogy of Cantrell (incomplete expression). At birth, Azalea had a giant omphalocele, where her liver, bowel, gallbladder, and stomach were outside her body, covered only by a thin sac. She was also born with a cleft sternum, a hole in her heart, and diminished lung capacity. Her early life was marked by intensive medical care—she spent nine weeks in the NICU and nearly nine months in "Hospital in the Home." For years, Azalea wore a brace to protect her fragile abdomen.

On July 24, 2023, at the age of seven, Azalea underwent a major abdominal wall reconstruction to reposition her organs and close her abdominal muscles. Despite a challenging recovery, including weeks in Westmead Hospital to manage infection risks and complications, the surgery was a success.

But the journey has continued. In December 2023, Azalea’s pain due to gallstones increased, causing more frequent bouts of pancreatitis and hepatitis. Though doctors initially tried medication to dissolve the stones, she endured repeated hospital stays. Finally, on August 1, 2024, Azalea underwent surgery to remove the gallstones. Thankfully, this was done via keyhole surgery, sparing her previous abdominal reconstruction.

Since then, Azalea has continued to experience episodes of pancreatitis and hepatitis, meaning the removal of her gallbladder did not resolve the issues. After extensive testing, her medical team has decided she will need another major surgery to separate her two bile ducts, insert one into her bowel, and perform a bypass. This will be a complex surgery involving additional specialised surgeons, and Azalea will face a lengthy stay and recovery at Westmead Hospital.

Dane and Clare have faced ongoing emotional strain. Despite Azalea receiving NDIS funding for Cerebral Palsy and Autism, these medical needs and specialist appointments (when attended privately) are at their own cost. They have both frequently been required to take unpaid leave to stay by Azalea’s side during her hospitalisations. Clare, especially, will need to take more time off work during Azalea's next hospital stay and recovery. While our family is here to support them, we’re also reaching out to our community to ask for help in alleviating some of the financial burden.

We understand this is a challenging time of year for many families, and we deeply appreciate any contribution you can make to help Dane, Clare, and Azalea during this difficult time. Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing their story, will make an incredible difference. Thank you for considering joining us in this journey to give Azalea the care and support she needs.

Warm regards,

Katie