18 Jul Hazel’s Fight

Hazel Cusick was born at 24 weeks, weighing just 13 oz. Her mom, Nikki had fought preeclampsia for over a week to keep her in utero as long as possible, but Hazel’s heart rate dropped and they had to do a C-section.

“The nurses told me she wasn’t going to cry because she was so underdeveloped, and then she did and it was like music to our ears,” Nikki said. 

They knew with that glorious cry that Hazel was going to fight— and fight she did.

Babies born that early tend to have some complications along with developing to full term, and Hazel had PVA (her heart wasn’t closed all the way), her lungs were underdeveloped and her intestines were twisted. Eventually, a tear in her intestines led her to be life-flighted from Topeka to Children’s Mercy Kansas City. 

Nikki and Cory didn’t know where they were going to stay being so far from home, but the hospital mentioned Ronald McDonald House and they were skeptical. 

“I thought they were a run-down house with a tiny little room … I envisioned a dorm setting. But our whole lives were uprooted and we just needed a place to stay, so we went to check in, said Nikki. When we stepped into the House I was blown away. It was beautiful, and staying at a Ronald McDonald House wasn’t just a room. It was a shock to see what [they] were willing and able to provide for us.”

Hazel had seven surgeries over a few months, but when she got a trach put in in late 2023 she took off developmentally. Nikki spent her days at the hospital but Cory had to return to work for financial purposes. Nikki spent most of her time alone but found connection at the Ronald McDonald House.

“We connected with so many families while we were there. Getting the chance to talk to other parents and just being able to connect … you don’t understand it until you are truly in it, and the support I got from other parents at the House was so incredible. It felt like home,” Nikki said.

Nikki said little things meant the most to her during her stay: cuddles with therapy dog Jay; haircuts offered in the salon that she couldn’t otherwise find the time for; smiles and thoughtfulness from the friendly staff were some of her highlights. 

“I had heard about Ronald McDonald House, but I had no idea the impact it would have on my life,” she says. 

After 378 in the NICU, Nikki and Cory were finally able to check out of the hospital, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, and take Hazel home for the first time. She will continue to have a medical journey, but they know she is a fierce fighter and will continue to defy her odds!