A fight for Ellidy

Powell couple with local ties facing medical battle for unborn baby

A Powell couple with strong ties to both Lovell and Cody is fighting for the life of their yet unborn daughter, who has been diagnosed with a rare life-threatening congenital heart defect.

Noah and Jazlyn Haney Goodwin recently found out that their daughter Ellidy, to be born in early May, has been diagnosed with MSAS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and once delivered will need a series of complex surgeries and specialized cardiac care.

The Mayo Clinic website describes HLHS as: “In this condition, the left side of the heart doesn’t develop fully and is too small, so it can’t pump blood well. Instead, the right side of the heart must pump blood to the lungs and to the rest of the body.”

Jazlyn, 25, is the daughter of Lovell Chief of Police Roger Haney and Brenda Nelson of Powell, the sister of Mercedes Haney of Denver and the granddaughter of Roger and Arlene Haney and Bill and Kathy Baxendale and Dennis Marchant, all of Lovell. She lived in Lovell until age 5 and lived in both Lovell and Powell after that, graduating from Powell High School in 2019. She works at Small Wonders Child Care in Cody.

Noah, also 25, was attending barber school in Billings but then took a job with his father’s business, Woodwerks, in Cody when Ellidy was diagnosed. The Goodwins have a son, Axyl, who will turn 3 next month.

Jazlyn said Ellidy was diagnosed during a 20-week anatomy scan in Powell when a technician observed something troubling during the scan, and a doctor confirmed the concern and ordered a follow-up scan in Billings at Maternal Fetal Medicine, which confirmed the HLHS diagnosis.

Local fundraisers have been scheduled for the Goodwins to help defray the cost of the expensive medical procedures to come and the couple’s relocation to Denver for Ellidy’s treatment. The Olive Glenn Golf Course was the site of a fundraiser Saturday, and another event is scheduled for February 27 at 5:30 p.m. during the annual margarita party and sombrero auction at the Cody Elks Club. Sips Coffee in Cody also donated proceeds from coffee sales on January 25.

A gofundme.com account has also been established under the title “Support Baby Ellidy’s Fight Against HLHS” at gofundme.com. As of Tuesday night, $15,210 had been raised toward a goal of $20,000.

The gofundme site describes the medical issues the Goodwins are facing as follows under the headline Prayers, Strength and Support for Ellidy:

“Our family is coming together to ask for support as Noah and Jazlyn prepare to welcome their baby girl, Ellidy, who has been diagnosed with MSAS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect.

“Ellidy will be born at Children’s Hospital Colorado and immediately admitted to the Cardiac NICU, with her arrival planned for early May. From the moment she is born, her life will depend on specialized cardiac care and a series of complex surgeries.”

What Ellidy will face

Within her first seven days of life, Elli will undergo her first open-heart surgery, the Norwood procedure, where surgeons will reconstruct her aorta and place a shunt to supply blood to her lungs. This is the most complex and high-risk of the three surgeries required for children with HLHS. Following this surgery, Ellidy will enter the interstage period, the most critical and fragile phase of her care.

“Over the next 2–6 months, she will require constant monitoring to ensure she remains stable and does not need early intervention. The second surgery, the Glenn procedure, typically takes place between months 2-6. This surgery redirects blood returning from the upper body directly to the lungs, reducing strain on Elli’s heart. Later in childhood, Ellidy will undergo the Fontan procedure, which completes the rerouting of blood flow and improves oxygen levels throughout her body. These surgeries do not cure HLHS. They are life-sustaining measures, and Ellidy will need lifelong cardiac care, monitoring and follow-ups.

Why we are
asking for help

“Because of the intensity of Ellidy’s care, Noah and Jazlyn will need to relocate to Denver until the end of the year. They must remain close to the hospital throughout the interstage period, where unexpected medical and related expenses are inevitable. During this time, their family will face long-term housing costs, ongoing travel expenses, food and daily living needs. We are asking for any help to cover these upcoming expenses and relieve some of the financial stress, allowing Noah and Jazlyn to focus entirely on Ellidy’s health and recovery.

“Any donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference. If you’re unable to donate, prayers and sharing this fundraiser helps more than you know. Our family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers and support being shown during this time, as Ellidy, Noah, Jazlyn and Axyl begin the fight for her life.”

Jazlyn said Tuesday that she is optimistic about Ellidy’s future and the outcome of the procedures, noting that modern medicine can work wonders.

“I feel like our chances are pretty good,” she said.