Support Hazel through neuroblastoma

On the 19th July our world changed forever when Hazel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer.

Hazel was only 15 months old at the time and we had already been in hospital for several weeks. We began seeing doctors at the start of June when we first noticed something was wrong, and it has not been an easy road to diagnosis.

It began with Hazel screaming in pain in the night, and we slowly noticed she was not using her legs as much as before. This deteriorated over the next few weeks to the point where she wouldn’t lift herself up anymore, and her appetite slowly decreased. Her stomach began to swell and her bowel movements changed.

We had multiple appointments with GP’s, outpatient appointments at hospital following 111 calls, appointments with paediatricians and several ultrasounds/x-rays.

After being admitted to hospital and treating constipation for several weeks, on the 18th July Hazel finally had an MRI which showed the mass in her tummy was cancer. On the day we found out, we were transferred to Birmingham Childrens Hospital. Hazel had a biopsy taken as well as a bone marrow check and a central line fitted, and chemo also started that same day.

We were told the tumour in her stomach has been growing around/pushing on her spine, which had caused nerve damage and explained the loss of movement in her legs/feet.

After she completed her first round of chemo, sadly she did not respond as well as the doctors thought and had to have emergency radiotherapy.

Following this, Hazel caught covid and began to have breathing issues so we were transferred to the High Dependency Unit. Hazel was found to have a partly collapsed lung and required a specialist machine to help her oxygen intake and force her airways open again. She fought like the little warrior she is and after 9 days, physiotherapy, and 2 attempts to take her off the oxygen, she was able to go back to the oncology ward.

During this time, she had her second round of chemo but unfortunately could not have a scan to show if the cancer had spread anywhere else.

As things started to get more stable, we were sent home for the first time after 7 1/2 weeks in hospital so we could finally spend some real time together as a family. Sadly other issues caused us to return after 3 days.

Currently (06/09), the team at the hospital are trying to find a cause for multiple additional issues relating to Hazel’s electrolyte balance and fluid loss, which is proving to be a long and stressful investigation. We have also just started her third round of chemotherapy.

Sadly we have been told that there is very likely to be permanent nerve damage affecting the movement in her legs/feet, and also her bowel/bladder, but we do not know at this stage to what extent.

However in more positive news, we have now completed her body scan which confirmed the cancer has not spread anywhere else!

We have set up this crowdfunding page because we appreciate many people have asked if there is anything they can do to help. Whilst we do not expect anything, if you would like to donate here we would put this towards potentially any mobility equipment she may need depending on if she regains movement in her legs/feet, but also towards a fun activity/trip with Hazel, and her sister Violet, when she is able to.

We massively appreciate all the love and support we have received so far and will continue to stay positive that our little fighter will beat this!

Emma & Mike