‼️ SHE WASN’T EVEN A MONTH OLD. BUT BABY HAZELJO HAS ALREADY FACED SURGERY, SEPSIS AND A MEDICAL JOURNEY HER FAMILY NEVER SAW COMING. 🩷

When HazelJo was born on August 19, her parents, Robbinjo Odum and her family, had no idea how complicated the days ahead would become.

HazelJo arrived at 35 weeks after her mother developed severe preeclampsia.

But the biggest shock came after her birth.

The tiny girl was born without an anus. Her vagina was not fully formed, and her bladder had developed outside her body. Doctors also discovered complex connections involving her intestinal, urinary and reproductive systems.

Her family suddenly found themselves facing a medical situation they had never expected.

Before HazelJo was even 24 hours old, her mother says surgeons performed procedures to create a colostomy and mucous fistula.

Then came another frightening battle.

Sepsis.

For a newborn already dealing with major medical challenges, the infection added another layer of fear.

But HazelJo kept fighting.

And now, her family finally has some encouraging news.

Her feeding tube is out.

She is taking all of her feeds by mouth.

She has pᴀssed her birth weight and now weighs 6 pounds, 1 ounce.

And according to her family, her sepsis is improving.

For her parents, these might sound like small developments.

But when your baby is fighting through a complicated medical journey, every improvement can feel enormous.

As Robbinjo put it:

“Learn to take every little improvement as a milestone!”

That is exactly what the family is doing.

Every bottle finished is a milestone.

Every ounce gained is a milestone.

Every sign that the infection is improving is a milestone.

But HazelJo’s journey is far from over.

Her mother says the baby currently needs help emptying her bladder every few hours, while doctors remain concerned about recurring infections and the potential impact on her kidneys.

Around three months of age, doctors are expected to perform imaging to create a clearer “road map” of HazelJo’s anatomy.

That information will help guide decisions about future surgeries.

Her family has been told that multiple procedures may be needed over the coming years to reconstruct parts of her urinary, intestinal and reproductive systems.

Because of the level of medical support she currently needs, doctors have also discussed long-term care rather than immediately sending her home.

And while HazelJo fights in the hospital, someone very special is waiting for her.

Her 2½-year-old big sister, Praylynn, has not been able to see “baby sissy” in person since HazelJo returned to the PICU.

For now, she sees her through pH๏τographs and video calls.

She keeps telling everyone how tiny her baby sister is. 🥹🩷

Meanwhile, Robbinjo is dealing with serious medical problems of her own and remains hospitalized.

HazelJo’s father is trying to balance everything—being there for his wife, caring for their newborn and supporting their toddler while the family remains hours away from home in Durant.

There is so much about this situation they cannot control.

But they can celebrate every little victory.

And today, there are several.

A feeding tube that is no longer needed.

A baby taking her feeds by mouth.

Six pounds, one ounce.

An infection that is improving.

A tiny girl who continues to fight.

💔 HazelJo’s journey is only beginning, and there will be difficult days ahead. But today, her family has reasons to hope.

🩷 Please leave a prayer for HazelJo, Praylynn, Robbinjo and the entire family. Let them know this tiny girl is not fighting alone. 🙏🎀❤️