Born extremely premature at just 26 weeks, the little girl faced a serious intestinal illness early in life that would change her journey forever. Her family says she developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a condition that severely damaged her intestines and required doctors to remove most of her small intestine.

Mazlyn survived — but the challenges did not end there.

With only a small portion of her intestine remaining, she developed short gut syndrome, making it difficult for her body to absorb enough nutrition to grow. She now relies on TPN, a form of intravenous nutrition delivered through a central line.

That lifeline also means that even a simple fever can become a reason for urgent hospital care. Her family says Mazlyn must typically remain in the hospital for at least 48 hours whenever she develops a fever so doctors can check for a possible line-related infection.

Now, her family is facing another difficult chapter.

Mazlyn has already spent two weeks in the hospital during her latest admission. Her family says doctors discovered that she has acidosis, meaning the acid balance in her body fluids has become abnormal.

Her parents, Justen and Nikki, are now hoping to find answers from specialists outside their state. They are reaching out to hospitals with experience caring for children with short gut syndrome and complex intestinal conditions, hoping one of them can help determine what Mazlyn needs next.

Meanwhile, life continues around the hospital room.

Her parents live about an hour away from the children’s hospital where Mazlyn is receiving care, while also caring for her older sister, Maci, who has just started school. They are trying to be there for both of their daughters while navigating an uncertain medical journey.

Mazlyn’s aunt Destini has joined the family in asking for help.

“Could you share my niece’s story?” she asked, hoping that someone who sees Mazlyn’s journey might know of a specialist, pediatric intestinal rehabilitation program, or hospital that could help.

For this family, the search is about more than finding another hospital. It is about finding the right team to give a little girl who has already fought so hard the best chance at a healthier future.

Mazlyn has made it through an extremely premature birth, a devastating intestinal illness, major surgery, and the challenges of living with short gut syndrome.