Saturday, November 2, 2013

Update

     First of all, let me start off by saying how humbled we have been by the outpouring of prayer and well wishes we have received over these last hours for our little Hazelnut.  God is making it so evident that He is present and that we have so many people behind us, and it truly lifts our spirits.  Since I am sure most of you want to know how we got to the ICU, let me clarify a few things:

  • She has been fighting this BK virus in her bladder, which has been causing the bloody urine and clots in her bladder.  It has been unbearably painful for her since Sunday, and she has been unable to pass the clots on her own.  So yesterday, the urology team decided to take her to the OR for a procedure (not surgery), where they put a camera through her urethra and a tube to help remove the clots that have been causing all of the problems.  She was in for two hours and the clots were so large, they were unable to remove them, but they did get some smaller ones out.  So they tried their best to break in up in the hopes that over the next days she would (painfully) pass them on her own.  Unfortunately since the procedure she did not urinate at all, so they have had to insert a catheter to help flush things out.  This has only been slightly successful, so they are now going to do an ultrasound on her kidneys to make sure they are not damaged.
  • Unrelated to the bladder complications is the VOD.  The VOD has been causing such extreme fluid retention that it is causing problems with her liver.  It makes her very uncomfortable and can be life threatening if we are not vigilant and extremely proactive.  That is when the decision was made to move her to the ICU (not because of the procedure with her bladder; although this is still an unfortunate complication we have to deal with).  
  • The ICU is providing several things for her care.  The first, and most important, is she is hooked up to a machine called CVVH (Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration).  It works by inserting a line in her neck that has two tubes coming out.  Fluid is flushed into her body that then grabs the excess fluid build-up and helps pull it out through her blood since her body has been unable to do it on her own.  The blood gets filtered and warmed and is then put back into her body.  Removing the fluid is critical to reverse the effects of VOD.  And the VOD is not a permanent problem (praise God), and can be reversed, but it is presently very serious.  The doctors said that although it is serious, they have it under very tight control and are ahead of it.  They are very good at treating this, and have seen much worse cases than Hazel's.  That makes me feel relieved, but in now way does it make anything easier.
  • The fluid build up has also moved to her lungs and has made it very difficult for her to breathe well on her own.  Her body has worked so hard just to breathe, and she needs to rest in order to heal, so they have decided to put in a breathing tube.  Even though it is very hard to see her with it in, it has allowed her to finally be comfortable.  It is the very first time I have seen her pain free in several weeks.  I would not trade that for anything.
     We do not know how long exactly that we will be in the ICU, but this time here is so important.  The doctors, nurses and specialist have to remain very vigilant so nothing get's out of hand.  But we know she is in the right place and will get the care that she needs.  And ultimately, we know that our mighty God has her in the palm of His hand and is the one who is in control of the entire thing.  Please pray for our whole family as we navigate through these next days, and pray for complete restoration!  Here is a picture of Hazel and her army of machines fighting for her:


88 comments:

  1. Praying for your precious daughter and your entire family. Lifting you up in my prayers.

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  2. Praying so hard for little hazelnut. Keep the faith... it breaks my heart to see this, but know it is helping her little body. Strength and prayers coming your way!!!

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  3. This breaks my heart. There's nothing more painful than seeing your child so helpless. My son has epilepsy. I know that yourning for health. Keep positive so many of us support you all, and will continue to pray. She's precious. Hope for a speedy recovery, I keep you close to my heart even though I am a stranger. Hugs and prayers.

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  4. This breaks my heart. There's nothing more painful than seeing your child so helpless. My son has epilepsy. I know that yourning for health. Keep positive so many of us support you all, and will continue to pray. She's precious. Hope for a speedy recovery, I keep you close to my heart even though I am a stranger. Hugs and prayers.

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  5. praying for you sweetie my god be with you and your family

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  6. Seeing all these machines next to her is very humbling! I know our Mighty God is with her every step of the way. Praying for you guys <3

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  7. Praying for your angel to get better ..

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  8. Praying for your sweet baby daughter and your entire family. Thank you for such allowing us to pray with you.

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  9. I pray that you can feel the love and support that is surrounding your family and Hazel. God is amazing and can do all. Praying for all of you...

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  10. Praying for Hazel and the entire family.


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  11. Precious and perfect angel of God. . Keep fighting sweetie

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  12. Lifting hazel and ur family up in prayer. God is amazing andis right beside you

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  13. Keep fighting Hazelnut. So many people are praying for you to feel Better and complete healing

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  14. Praying for your precious little girl!

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  15. Keep fighting Hazelnut. So many people are praying for you to feel Better and complete healing

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  16. PRAYING FOR HER AND THE FAMILY EVERYTHING WILL BE BETTER HAVE FAITH

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  17. Prayers for Hazel and her family.
    I hope she is felling better soon

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  18. Praying that you can feel the support of love and prayers that are being raised for your precious Hazel and your family. You are not alone. We all stand with you and pray in earnest for intervention, faith, strength and healing. Our God is an awesome God through whom all things are possible.

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  19. Praying for this Sweet Child and Family.

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  20. Many prayers for this beaui little girl

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  21. I can't even remember how I was led to Hazel's page, but I remember thinking that I was supposed to be there. Even though I'm a complete stranger, I hope you can feel the love I'm sending you and even when the roller coaster is heading downwards, I am always optimistic that sweet Hazel will receive a complete healing. I have thought about Hazel, and you and your entire family several times today and have prayed each time. What I wouldn't give to take her pain for her. I am sending her all my strength because she needs it most right now, but I am hoping that you can feel all of the love and support for you and your entire family. Try to get a little rest while Hazel is comfortable :) Hopefully, in the morning things will have turned for the better and your precious, beautiful Hazelnut will be feeling much, much, much, much better!!

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  22. Where two or three are gathered in his name there he is also. Praying for sweet Hazel!

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  23. Praying for your daughter... I am in tears imaging the pain she has been going through im so sry u are all going through this.. I will be praying for her.. Plz keep us all updated...

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  24. Beautiful ^
    Sorry for typo

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  25. I pray for your beautiful baby girl Hazel as well as your family. Although we have never met my heart goes out to u all! May God watch over her and pull her through this. I think she is very lucky to have two wonderful strong parents. I will continue my prayers and may God always be with you!!! Xoxo

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  26. Praying for your precious daughter. It breaks my heart to hear about a child in pain. God is in control and He will hear our prayers. God please heal this child and I praise you and thank you for hearing all the prayers to you for this sweet little girl. We take authority over the illness Hazel is dealing with and demand that it leave her little body in Your name Lord, heal Hazel Lord and give her and her family peace and strength. In Jesus name, Amen.

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  27. Praying so hard for you!! Some (minor) health issues have come up with my daughter and I'm in tears thinking of her being afraid/in pain.... this makes me realize I'm lucky that this is all she has to go through (so far in her young life). It breaks my heart that children, the most innocent, have to go through something like this. Not only is it confusing, not only can they not enjoy things that "normal" children can, not only is it scary.... they are fighting for their life. I pray a cure can be found. I pray that Hazel recovers, feels better, feels love and support, and kicks this cancers butt.

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  28. In tears. Hazel's gift to me is not to take one single second for granted with my children....nor their health. Hazel is amazing and your strength is un-real.

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  29. Praying for your beautiful daughter and family.

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  30. Praying for a complete and fast recovery for Hazel it breaks my heart to see her going through this and sending my prayers to the whole family.

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  31. Praying for your precious daughter, her family and her caregivers.

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  32. Praying for sweet beautiful Hazelnut and that god wraps his loving arms around her and heals that sweet baby!!

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  33. Praying for sweet beautiful Hazelnut and that god wraps his loving arms around her and heals that sweet baby!!

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  34. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May her Guardian Angel watch over her.

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  35. I regularly give my daughter two hugs, one for her and one for your family. Our thoughts are with you and yours. You are all so strong! I look forward to seeing more pictures of her beautiful smile.

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  36. May God bless u all during this difficult time ladybug hugs & butterfly kisses to u precious hazel praying for complete healing in Jesus name amendment

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  37. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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  38. Praying for this precious angel. May God touch this little angel with his healing hands.

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  39. I can only get to imagine how hard it has been to see her like this. We have her on our prayers. Miracles do happen and you will soon testify this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
    Our thoughts and prayers
    With Hazel and the family!

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  40. You humble me!!!! Our dear God in heaven shines so brightly through you and yours. Our God is a healing God, he can provide the rest and complete restoration we are seeking for "Our" Hazel nut!!!! I pray this, in our sweet fathers name!!!! Amen

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  41. I don't why I have been so moved to pray and think of Hazel constantly. I know God's Angels are surrounding little Hazel and giving her comfort and peace so she can heal. This is what I prayed the most for -- and for you and your family. Hoping you will have a peaceful and restful night so the Good Lord can do His work.

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  42. Always in my prayers little Hazel. Stay strong, God is with you in this process.
    God bless you.

    Martinez Family

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  43. please know we are all praying for this sweet little girl

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  44. Keeping Hazel & your entire family in my thoughts prayers!!! Sending you all <3 & BIG HUGS from Missouri!!!

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  45. Praying for this very beautiful precious young lady God will help heal her just stay strong and have faith I do pray that god heals her and she can come home to u all that love her so much my heart breaks to see such a beautiful young lady have to go through this and I will continue praying for Hazel

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  46. I have been following your blog as a result of my cousin posting about Hazel on Face Book. I am deeply touched and awed by your family's courage. I pray for Hazel and your family. I wish I was as strong. Here's hoping God keeps you all cradled in His love and grace.

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  47. Prayers going out to both you and your little Hazelnut. May God bless you all.

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  48. Poor sweet little baby. I pray for her every day. Although I am a stranger, I have been following her story since I read the "send Pizza" article. You are a wonderful mother, and I pray that your baby will be healed. I am so sorry that she has been in such pain. No child should ever hurt so much; I pray that she makes a complete recovery. Stay strong. You have many people thinking about you.

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  49. God bless Hazel and I pray He keeps vigil too. And may He work through the hands of the doctors to heal her. May He give her strength to continue to heal. God bless you Hazel...what a fighter you are sweetie.

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  50. Prayers going up for your precious little angel and your family. God Bless you all

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  51. I just would like to say in cases like this: " The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not fear " we'll continue praying for little Hazel, parents and family, in the name of Jesus The Lord. Amen.

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  52. Please know that there are a lot of prayers for you and beautiful little Hazelnut, the good Lord above and all the Angels in Heaven are watching over ya'll.

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  53. Stay strong hazel. Your in my prayers. You can fight this girl. God bless You!

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  54. We are weak but He is strong. Jesus loves her, God loves her. She is in the arms of God with an Armyof Prayer and love and support backing her up. I Pray that she is given the strength and courage to beat these diseases. I pray that your family finds hope And comfort while in this shadow. Please Lord take away her pain and let her beat this. You are Strong, she is weak. Help her along this hard road and give her peace <3

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  55. Prayers going out to lil Hazelnut nd ur family. God bless u all

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  56. I send prayers out to you because ive been in your footsteps with my daughter but she had a driffant illness so I know how u feel and how hard it is to see your child like that but so happy they are not in pain which is a feel that is so joyful keep your head up sweetie god is with you every step of the way and god only gives special children to very special families and he chose you as he has choose you as he did us our daughter violet lost her battle to hlhs on October 3 13 at 8 weeks old so if u ever need someone to talk to just let me know may god bless you and your family

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  57. Prayers sent from Maine...

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  58. no child should suffer like this ,come on hazel you can do it you are an insperation to us all and your family. prayers and thoughts are with you all

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  59. I'm praying for dear Hazel and your family. I pray that God guides the doctors in her treatment along with providing you the strength to support Hazel. Hazel is strong, beautiful, and a true gift from God. God is listening to thousands of our prayers for her and your family.

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  60. I can say how much I feel for you and Hazel. Me my wife and our both kids will send Hazel all our prayers over from Germany. And I hope that she'll eat her next pizza in a couple of days. Send over a lot of kisses from Germany. God bless you. Yours Stephan

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  61. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL!!! I PRAY THAT YOUR PRECIOUS PRINCESS WILL BE HEALED AND THE SHE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY LIFE WITH HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE ALL THE TIME!!! GOD IS IN CONTROL AND I KNOW HE IS RIGHT BESIDE HAZEL!!!

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  62. Sweet Hazel! Bless you and your family during this time!

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  63. First thing I did when I woke up was to check on our Hazel. My thoughts are constantly with you and your entire family. We are praying for you and you are in our hearts. We love you Hazel.

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  64. Praying for your little Hazel and for your family. May God give you His comfort throughout these heavy days and nights. Praying expectantly for His goodness and mercy to bring you through this time.

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  65. Prayers flooding in from Kill devil Hills, NC.

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  66. Oraying while in teats this is heart breaking. U dont realize how good u have it til u see this kind of story stay strong mama

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  67. Praying for Hazel. May His healing hands be upon her.

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  68. Sweet Hazelnut, i keep you and your Family in my prayers!

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  69. Praying for your angel. So sad to see someone so little having to go through so much!

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  70. I am praying for your precious Hazel....I learned about her from her buddy Lilly....please God help this baby girl fight....she needs to be with her mama & Daddy!!!!! My heart breaks to read these updates please help her pull thru....

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  71. My prayers are with you and your daughter Hazel. She stole my heart months ago and reading your update brings tears to my eyes. No child should have to go through this and no parent either. But the hope and faith that you bring and your humble words give me hope. I know God has you and your baby in his hands and his way and will is not ours to question. Only to understand in time. I know many blessings and healing will come. Bless you all.

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  72. I pray for hazel and your family every night

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  73. Me and my wife are praying for your family and angel hazel. We hope whe makes it through all this. Family keep your heads up

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  74. Sweet girl, this just breaks my heart. The picture is so surreal and saddning. She is one strong little girl and I hope she continues to fight these awful diseases. Praying for Hazel and your family.
    - shslby

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  75. Reading this through tears! I have also been following since the pizza article, and my heart goes out to this family! I am constantly praying for Hazel, I woke up last night thinking of her! My family and I will continue to pray for her, and to rid her body of this horrid disease and all setbacks! Hazel you are strong beautiful and this will all be a thing of the past soon baby girl. Lauren, you are amazing and your faith will guide you and your family through this! GOD BLESS XOXO

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  76. today praying God's mercy on you all.....

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  77. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!!!
    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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  78. Hazel and your family captured my heart when I went to give blood at the blood drive. I think about her often and pray for all of you. I went as Miss Moorpark thinking I was going to have a good time doing a nice thing, but left profoundly impacted. She is such a ray of sunshine.

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  79. praying for little Hazel... Sorry you all are having to go through this including little hazel. Hazel's fight to live has inspired me to live happy and thankful day by day.

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  80. sorry you all are having to go through this including little hazel... I am praying continuously for hazel. She's a strong girl fighting the fight.

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  81. GOD SPEED!!!! Praying for all of you.

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  82. I am helpless to say anything of value at a time like this other than I have asked to have your precious little Hazelnut put back on the prayer list at All Saints Pasadena where many, many will be praying for her and your entire family as will I. And to tell you that i know that God's heart was the first of all our hearts to ache for the sake of Hazel.

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  83. Crying now reading this. Sweet hazel does not deserve this. She's way to young to have to suffer through this. I am sending all the love in my heart and from my entire school. Keep the faith. We love you!!! Anybody who reads this comment: is hazels color purple. I wanna get bracelets for myself to show that I am represent Her at my school

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  84. prayers for your sweet baby girl xo

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  85. prayers for your sweet baby girl xo

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