💗 Born at 26 Weeks, Mazlyn Now Needs Answers: Family Searches for Specialized Care

Mazlyn’s medical journey began almost as soon as her life did.

Born extremely premature at just 26 weeks, she entered the world facing challenges that would shape her childhood in ways her family could never have imagined.

Her family says Mazlyn developed necrotizing enterocolitis, commonly known as NEC, a serious intestinal condition that can cause significant damage to intestinal tissue.

For Mazlyn, the damage was severe.

Doctors had to remove most of her small intestine.

She survived — but the surgery left her with short gut syndrome, a condition in which the remaining intestine cannot adequately absorb the nutrition her growing body needs.

Today, Mazlyn depends on total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, delivered through a central line to provide essential nutrition directly into her bloodstream. 💗

That treatment has become an important part of keeping her nourished, but it also means her family must remain extremely vigilant about potential complications.

According to her family, whenever Mazlyn develops a fever, she typically needs to be hospitalized for monitoring because doctors must quickly determine whether there could be an infection involving her central line.

Now, another frightening chapter has brought her back to the hospital.

Mazlyn has already spent two weeks hospitalized after doctors discovered that she has acidosis, a condition in which the body’s fluids become more acidic than normal.

Her family is waiting for answers and hoping specialists can determine what is causing the latest medical problem and how best to help her.

They are also looking beyond their home state.

Mazlyn’s aunt, Destini, recently shared her niece’s story in hopes that it might reach someone with knowledge of specialized pediatric care.

The family is searching for a hospital or medical team with experience treating children with complex intestinal conditions, including short gut syndrome and the long-term effects of NEC.

Perhaps another family has walked a similar path.

Perhaps someone knows about a pediatric intestinal rehabilitation program.

Perhaps a specialist or medical center has experience that could help Mazlyn’s doctors determine the next step.

For her parents, Justen and Nikki, the situation is emotionally and physically exhausting.

They live about an hour from the children’s hospital where Mazlyn is currently receiving care. They want to remain close to their daughter while also being there for their other child, Maci, who has recently started school.

It is a situation no parent should have to navigate alone. 💔

That is why Mazlyn’s family is asking people to share her story.

They aren’t asking strangers to have all the answers.

They are simply hoping that one person might recognize something familiar, know the right specialist, or connect them with a medical program capable of helping children with complex intestinal conditions.

And for those who cannot provide a medical connection, there is still something meaningful they can offer: support.

A prayer.

A kind message.

A share.

A moment spent helping Mazlyn’s story reach someone who may be able to guide her family. 🙏

Please pray for Mazlyn as she continues her hospital stay.

Pray that her medical team can identify what is causing this latest crisis and help stabilize her.

Pray that the family hears from the right hospital and finds specialists with the experience they need.

And pray for Justen and Nikki as they try to care for both of their daughters while carrying the enormous emotional weight of Mazlyn’s medical journey.

Mazlyn entered this world far too early, but she has already shown remarkable resilience.

💗 Now her family is hoping the next chapter brings answers, specialized care, and a little more hope.