Area family thankful for support after toddler’s surgery
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BUCKHANNON -- The parents of a Buckhannon toddler who underwent a successful surgery are reaching out to thank community members, churches and businesses for their support.
Ellie Phillips, the 13-month-old daughter of Neal and Kathy Phillips, had surgery on her skull June 15 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. When she was 5 months old, Ellie was diagnosed with cranioynostosis, a birth defect that involves premature closure of sutures in the skull. If left untreated, the condition could lead to increased pressure on the brain, vision problems and learning and developmental delays.
Ellie's surgery went very well, Neal Phillips said in a phone interview this week. He said he and his family wanted to thank everyone who sent cards and donations and prayed for his little girl.
"It was really heartfelt and appreciated," he said.
The surgery originally was scheduled to take place in March, but it was delayed until June because Ellie had some respiratory infections.
Neal Phillips said the surgery was a posterior cranial vault distraction, and it involved a long zig-zag incision across the top of Ellie's head. Pieces of hardware were placed in her skull temporarily. They extend out from her head a few inches, and they are turned a few times each day to allow for gradual expansion over the next several weeks.
He said she will have another surgery this fall to remove the hardware, and she has several other appointments in Pittsburgh as her doctors monitor her progress.
"I couldn't have ever asked for a better hospital," he said. "Everybody there was just above and beyond what you would want for care. … It (the surgery) was supposed to be four to six hours. It was actually over in a little over three hours. They said everything went like textbook -- everything came together just the way it was supposed to be."
Neal Phillips also said he was impressed with how Ellie handled the overall experience.
"You wouldn't believe how well she did," he said, adding the only things she doesn't really like are having her surgery area cleaned and having to be stuck in a carseat for the long trips to Pittsburgh for her regular follow-up appointments.
Ellie sees five specialists -- a neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon, geneticist, ophthalmologist and ear, nose and throat doctor -- all of whom are located more than two hours away.
The travel expenses and the medical costs not covered by insurance have added up for Ellie's family, and local community members have donated to help offset those expenses.
A cake walk, spaghetti dinner and live auction fundraiser took place in February at the Beverly Volunteer Fire Department, and Neal Phillips said the event raised more than $6,300.
He said he wanted to thank everyone who supported the fundraiser, especially Pat Lewis, Sheila Moyer, Heather Hill, Shelby Stalnaker, Ellen Yocum, Mary Warner, Jim Rossi and Harvey Taylor.
He said they also received support from many businesses, churches and individuals in Randolph, Upshur and Barbour counties, as well as people from all over the region, including Maryland.
"It was really surprising to have people from that far away hear about it," he said. "What's wonderful was the support from all of those people … and we wanted to let the community know it's been appreciated."
A gofundme.com account also was created to assist in fundraising, and it can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/ellies-cranio-journey.
Anyone wishing to make a donation for Ellie's ongoing medical and travel expenses or to receive more information can contact Neal Phillips at 304-704-8888.