Hazel’s Brave Battle: A Tiny Warrior Facing Fever, Chemo, and Sleepless Nights.

Hazel, a tiny but incredibly brave warrior, faced another grueling week in her battle against Neuroblastoma.

On Wednesday morning, she woke with a high fever of 102.2°F, a fever that lingered almost the entire day.

The fever would briefly lower between doses of medication, but it stubbornly returned, making every hour feel longer.

Thankfully, blood cultures showed no signs of infection, and doctors suspected the fever was caused by rhinovirus, a small setback in an already overwhelming journey.

Thursday proved even harder than Wednesday.

Hazel received methadone, oxycodone, benedryl, hydroxyzine, and was on a ketamine drip, along with two doses of dilaudid, yet sleep eluded her completely.

During immunotherapy infusions, children usually fall asleep, which helps relieve the pain, but Hazel was exhausted from missing her nap, and nothing could soothe her.

She had received a bolus of fluids beforehand, flovent to open her airways, and a nebulizer during the treatment, but she remained restless, fussy, and uncomfortable.

Her parents spent over ten hours at the hospital on both Tuesday and Thursday, holding her close, trying to comfort her through the long, painful treatments.

The exhaustion was immense, yet in the quiet moments of snuggling, there was love, warmth, and connection.

Friday was her last day of chemotherapy for this round and the day of her PET scan.

Her mother was thankful for the approaching weekend, hoping Hazel’s appetite would return and that the mouth sores would ease enough for her to nurse again.

Hazel had gone a full 24 hours without nursing, and then another ten hours, making the days even more challenging.

Days like these highlighted the blessing of having TPN to maintain her nutrition and strength.

Despite the exhaustion, Hazel slept most of the day, waking only briefly for about four hours, all of which her mother spent holding her close so she could rest.

Earlier in the week, Hazel had begun her third round of chemo-immunotherapy.

The first day was chemotherapy alone, the second combined chemo and immunotherapy.

Her mother consulted with neuroblastoma oncologists to interpret prior scan results, which had used alarming language that caused concern.

The doctors clarified that the changes seen were not new disease progression but were from prior changes following surgery in June and July.

To ensure accuracy, Hazel would undergo a PET scan to compare pre- and post-immunotherapy images.

This treatment was long and difficult, yet Hazel felt far better than during high-dose chemotherapy.

She was not vomiting, she played, she tried to move around, and she even looked healthy despite the intensity of her treatment.

Her parents remained grateful for each small victory, every brief moment of relief, and every good day between the hard ones.

Hazel’s mother faced her own struggles, resisting despair even when fear and doubt crept in.

There were days when she could hardly pray or focus her mind, yet she trusted that God saw her heart and had a greater plan.

Through faith, she drew strength, knowing she would see Elijah again in Heaven.

Emily, from Child Life, made Hazel a personalized badge that she could safely chew on, officially making her “Dr. Hazel.”

Hazel’s little body was strong, weighing just under 19 pounds, a chunky bundle of courage, determination, and resilience.

Her family continued to ask for prayers for stability, hoping no disease progression would force a change in treatment, as options were limited.

Each day was a delicate balance between hardship and fleeting moments of joy.

Even Hazel’s sister, Emma, faced her own challenge, having broken her foot, prompting more prayers for healing and comfort.

Hazel’s week reminded everyone who witnessed it of resilience, unconditional love, and the unyielding courage of a child too young to face so much.

Through sleepless nights, fevers, and painful treatments, Hazel’s body and spirit endured with astonishing strength.

Her parents held on to faith, love, and hope for healing, finding beauty and courage in moments most would find unbearable.

Even in the chaos of hospital rooms, with tubes, IVs, and monitors, Hazel managed small joys—a smile, a laugh, or a brief moment of play.

Her family cherished every second of these moments, knowing that despite the hardship, Hazel was growing stronger in her own way.

The week, though exhausting and overwhelming, was also a testament to Hazel’s bravery and the unwavering love that surrounded her every step of the way.

Her journey continues to inspire, showing that even in the hardest times, love and resilience shine brightest.