Sunday, November 17, 2013

Road To Recovery

*DAY +39 POST TRANSPLANT & 46 STRAIGHT DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL*

     It appears as though this will be quite a long road to recovery for our little Hazelnut.  We have overcome one major in hurdle in removing her breathing tube, but are facing many others that must be overcome.  But let me start with the most pressing issue for us.  The doctors are concerned because the tremors that Hazel has been experiencing, which we initially believed were due to withdrawal from the sedation meds, have been continuing; and she has not been showing other obvious signs of withdrawal (vomiting, sneezing, yawning, diarrhea, etc.).  This, coupled with the fact that she has had quite a bit of trouble forming words, has made them suspicious that something neurological is going on.  They informed us that, in some cases, there can be damage to the brain when a child is heavily sedated for an extended period of time.  The only way for us to know if this is the case for Hazel is to have an MRI done of her head.  However, she is not stable enough to have this scan done, so they decided to continue to watch for other signs of withdrawal, in hopes that that IS the case and may not have to do the scan at all.  The doctors also explained that it could be two different types of damage.  One is treatable, while the other is not.  The one that is not, depending on the severity, could either be permanent or resolve on it's own, in time.  So right now, all we can do is wait (which is so unbelievably hard!).  We beg you for your prayers on this issue!  Please pray that all of these things are related to withdrawal and not from a brain injury. The good news is that God has shown us some encouraging signs these last couple of days.  She has vomited quite a few times (who would have thought we would be happy for vomit?!), has had diarrhea, and has gone a whole day without any major tremors!  So today looked much more hopeful for us, and we need all the hope we can get!
     They also decided, two nights ago, to take Hazel off of the CVVH machine to see how she would do, since she has gotten down to a normal weight and all of her numbers have been looking good.  The biggest sign of recovery, after being taken off the machine, is urination.  The last two days, she did not urinate at all and fluid has begun to build back up again.  The fluid has even traveled a little to her lungs, making it more difficult for her to breathe and for her to need oxygen around the clock.  Before putting her back on the machine, they have decided to do another kidney and bladder ultrasound tonight to see if there may be an obstruction by the clots she has been having or if it is just that her kidneys are not quite recovered enough yet.  We should get those results tomorrow morning.  
     All of this being said, Hazel and our family have quite a lot of work ahead of us.  Brain injury, or not, she will most likely be needing physical, occupational and speech therapy.  She has not been out of bed in weeks, she has not eaten in well over a month, she is having trouble forming speech and is out of practice with many things due to this hospital stay.  Aaron and I have felt very overwhelmed at how arduous this road may be, but he said something today that gave me so much hope.  God has been so faithful to us over these last seven months.  He has brought Hazel through six rounds of chemo, several small and one major surgery, neutropenia, high-dose chemo, a stem-cell transplant, and now has given us the miracle of bringing her through this life-threatening stay in the ICU.  So what makes this leg of the journey any different?  He has always been in control, and He will stay in control for the rest of her life.  He is holding her in the palm of His hand and will carry her through this as He has time and time again.  If we focus on the future and on the "What if's?", then we will go absolutely bonkers.  But if we, instead, focus on the one sure thing we have taken hope in these last seven months, then we can move through each day as it comes with a peace, knowledge, and hope like no other.
     Despite all of her struggles, Hazel is moving in the right direction.  Like I said before, today she suffered no major tremors!  It was such a beautiful sight to see her still.  She is more alert and interactive.  She slept soundly, something she hasn't done in weeks, all last night and for most of the day.  Sleep, I believe will help her recover, so I am glad she is finally able to do it peacefully!  And Hazel's Auntie Laura even got her playing a little.  So we have been finding joy in the midst of all of this, and for that I am forever thankful.


46 comments:

  1. Prayers definitely being sent up continuously! Strength and comfort for you guys. ♥

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  2. Every night befor me and my wife go to bed i always check to see if anything has been posted about hazel. Reading her story breaks our hearts but we pray and pray for her to fight this ugly cancer to go away. And this you guys need plz let us know. May god give you and your family strength and comfort though this time and need. God bless

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  3. I think of you Hazel every morning, every day and every night. I pray that you will fight this cancer soon and to come home healthy.Strength and comfort and a lot of prayers/jasmina from Sweden

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  4. You can do this Hazel. You're an amazing little girl and continue to prove God has his hand on you to help you heal. I'm forever checking on your posts and thank-you for making the time to keep us up to date on your precious daughter that the world has falling in love with. It's been a rough road for your family. You're all coming out of this must stronger than when it all started. Hang in there. We're praying for you.

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  5. Praying for Hazel and her family. Praying for the doctors who work with her. Thankful you Know our God is in control. I couldn't imagine trying to face this without being able to lean on the Lord. Stay strong baby girl.

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  6. Praying everyday. No matter what!

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  7. Are they sure they are not seziures? With the altered mental state and her limited strength it could be a possibility. Any fevers? It wouldn't hurt to ask what they thought.

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  8. Praying with certainty that God is who He says He is and if His word says healing through the stripes of Jesus then healing is His promise.

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  9. Eu rezo por ela todas noites. Agora minha sobrinha Luíza de 5 anos também reza comigo. Dizem que Deus escuta as crianças melhor pela pureza que elas carregam. Com isso a Hazel irá se curar mais rápido ainda e fará o que ele deve fazer que é brincar e ser feliz.

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  10. Let us all pray for little Hazel....we are all thinking of you little baby girl/jasmina from sweden

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  11. God is so powerful and so loving. Its easy to see that he has taken this beautiful princess under his wing...with him all things are possible...love and prayers

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  12. Still praying for your sweet Hazel in Mississippi! No child should ever have to go through this, but Hazel is so fortunate to have such a large, loving, & faithful family surrounding her. Her strength amazes me, & so does YOURS! Keep up the good work Momma :-)

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  13. LOTS AND LOTS OF PRAYER FOR HAZEL THAT EVERYTHING HEADS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. ALSO ALOT OF STRENGHTH TO HER PARENTS TO CONTINUE TO B THERE FOR HER AND TAKE EACH AND EVERYDAY AS PRECIOUS AND MEMORABLE AS THEY CAN. ((((((((HUGS TO U ALL)))))))) PRAYERS AND PRAYER AND LOTS AND LOTS OF MORE PRAYER WILL CONTINUE TO COME TO U ALL!!!

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  14. Prayers for her continued recovery! God has her in the palm of His hand

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  15. praying for you little Hazel. You are always in my thoughts through out the day also. I pray that you heal and become a fun high energy little lady that you hae shown your strength through in the past couple of days--Sara (WI)

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  16. Oh Hazel, how you amaze me sweet girl!! I know those withdrawals can be so nasty and uncomfortable, but I rebuke any brain damage occurring to you! I know right now as I write this, the blood clots are dissipating and you will be able to pee on your own today! No need for that CVVH machine again. Sometimes, progress is a waiting game, and everyone has to be worried about the "what ifs" and "could be this or that" just so they can be prepared, but precious Hazel, I believe with all my heart that you are one the mend sweet pea!! I am sending you all of my strength today, everything I've got, and I'm praying all the time for you and your family--they love you so, so, so much!! Today is going to be a great day for you Hazel! I just know it! I can't wait to see you playing and smiling that beautiful smile that only you can wear. Love and prayers and HOPE to all of you!! <3

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  17. Sweet face Hazel...we are all praying and keeping you in our thoughts and hearts. We know that God has you in His hands and that He will bring you out of this and on toward a FULL RECOVERY, of that we have no doubt, He loves you...and so do we!

    God be with you all,

    BLessings, Peace & Love,
    xxoo
    Camille & Family~

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  18. It amazing to see the transformation in Hazel's face and the gradual smile that comes along with it. It straightens me up, makes me want to grab on to this world, stronger and more courageous to share Jesus. How He is so important to the lives of those who go through this without hope! He is our strength and our Savior as He is Hazel's provider of peace and comfort. I pray for her as well as the millions of people who will know her story.

    "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" -totally makes me realize that it isn't just sharing Jesus with them- but allowing them to be a tool in the efforts for people to know Him.
    Love you Hammersley family.

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  19. I am so happy to hear she has gotten better.

    Michelle Martin

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  20. GOD CAN AND WILL BRING HER THRU THIS !!! MUCH LOVE AND PRAYER SENT TO YOU

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  21. Always praying for you Hazelnut!!! So many people are praying for you. Lifts my heart just to see that Hazel smile. Lots of love little one. You truly melt my heart!!!

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  22. Continuing to pray for your family. Sweet Hazel- love that smile. God bless ya'll.

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  23. HI.
    I started following your beautiful Hazel when the pizza blog went viral.
    Every day i check to see if there is any update.. and every day i hug my kids stronger because of Hazel.
    I think her and take her in my mind everywhere I go.. hoping that next time i read the blog a beautiful picture of her smile will pop up.
    Please know that my heart is with her.

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  24. O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!

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  25. Praise God!! Thank You Dearest Lord XOXO

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  26. Going out to the prayer team we will all be praying, think your hubby hit the nail on the head He is in charge and we beg and plead and leave it in His hands.
    God Bless,
    >

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  27. She is sooo cute! Praying for her

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  28. As always continued prayers from all of us at Simi Covenant Preschool. You and Aaron are just amazing. We praise God for all that He has done for Hazel and the strength that he has given you both during this time. With much love, prayers and hugs. We love being able to hug Elizabeth and pray with her daily for Hazel.

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  29. You are all constantly in our prayers. Lifting you up and praying for God's mighty hands to hold you. Sending Hazel so many prayers and well wishes. God bless you!

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  30. Trust God each and every moment. You are God and He is you. I don't know why, but I know things will go well for our Hazelnut. That intuitive part of us, is God's whispers. Aaron is correct. <3

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  31. Lord, let your healing hand squash all the concerns and let there be thanksgiving to Your holy name for a complete healing of Hazel.

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  32. She is a beauty and a fighter.

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  33. Stay strong Hazel, you got this! <3

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  34. Lauren, Aaron is correct, the Lord has brought Hazel so far. The Lord is giving her a respite as he and only he knows what it will take for a complete recovery. So right now she is ok and she will continue to improve with each passing day. But as you said this won't end anytime soon. The road is being smoothed for her by all the prayers and the Lord's want for Hazel to be raised by two wonderful parents. Always remember that the Lord will always give his all, he knows no different. Hazel is blessed and you and Aaron are as well. Your strength and Love for Hazel and for all of your family is the conquering spirit that the Lord looks for in any situation. He wants you or in this case Hazel to help. With her off the machines his will is to continue the improvement process. I will be keeping Hazel and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers, with unyielding faith and spirit. Craig

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  35. Praying for Hazel and your entire family. She is such a beautiful, strong little girl! May God bless <3

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  36. May our good Lord who loves all the children grant her a full recovery and strength to you all to struggle on.

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  37. I'm actually crying while reading this.. this is so touching. I couldn't imagine how she could handle all that pain.. God is wonderful in His own way. He always with us and never let us down. God bless u little hazel and showering you with unconditionally love..and heals you with the power of His hands. Keep the faith. Keep fighting. U are an amazing girl. Love xoxo

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  38. Dear Hammersley Family - Just wanted to let you know that Team Benny is hard at work praying for Hazel. With warm wishes for a speedy and COMPLETE recovery. Love, Team Benny

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  39. Hey, cutest little girl!! you're a champion already! I'm praying for you, hope you get well as soon as possible!
    I'll let you know that people in Brazil already know you, you're a star, girl!
    take care.
    xoxo

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  40. You're in my thoughts here in Chicago. I'm going to make a donation later in honor of my uncle who was an LAPD officer from Simi.

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  41. We love you Hazel - Your fitness team at Balanced Body Bootcamp!!! GO HAZEL!!!

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  42. Hazel and her family are an inspiration! Stay strong! - writing from Costa Rica

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  43. God Bless Hazel and Your family!

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