Farewell Sweet Hazel

We were stunned and sad to hear the news that Michael's little friend Hazel had passed away on August 4th.  Although we had anticipated this day for many months after her cancer had been diagnosed as terminal, it didn't make the news any easier to bear.

We first met Hazel and her parents at Children's Hospital when Michael was six months old and Hazel was nine months old.  Michael was recovering from his first surgery to remove his brain tumor, Hazel was recovering from her second.  As they underwent treatment they shared many things in common such as the same rare form of brain cancer cancer (Ependymoma) and many of the same doctors (such as neurosurgeon Dr. O'Neill, neuro-oncologist Dr. Foreman, and radiation oncologist Dr. Liu).  During part of their recovery they were even in adjacent recovery rooms on the sixth floor of Children's Hospital, which confused their nurses on a few occasions.

Even with so much in common, Michael and Hazel have had many different challenges in dealing with their cancer.  We were so grateful that Hazel never lost her sparkling smile like Michael did.  But she had other complications, including the tumor incurably spreading to her spine before her second birthday.  Miraculously, she survived a year and a half beyond that, for which we are very grateful.

We've kept in touch with Hazel and her family over the last few years and joined together in birthday celebrations and other happy occasions.  For his first birthday, Michael's Aunt Carrie wrote "Mikey's Ride", a picture book about Michael and Hazel and their days together at Children's Hospital.

A scene from "Mikey's Ride" where Michael races Hazel in a red wagon at Children's Hospital.  In the book, the top half represents what is happening in Michael's imagination, the bottom half shows what is really happening.

On Monday Liz and I attended Hazel's funeral in Denver while the daughter of some friends from church watched our children.  It was a beautiful and touching funeral that celebrated Hazel's life through words, music, and pictures.  You could feel the outpouring of love and support for her family.  We were pleased to see several doctors and nurses from Children's Hospital there who have treated both Hazel and Michael over the last few years.

Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with Hazel's family at this time.  As hard and painful as the road may be, we're grateful that we (and they) don't have to walk it alone.  God be with you till we meet again, dear Hazel.

At Michael's first birthday party in 2012

At Hazel's second birthday party in 2013

At Hazel's third birthday party in 2014