Taylor Pappas

Going the extra mile is what often saves lives. It saved Taylor.

Taylor was a normal, healthy, everyday girl. Her family the same. Caught up in the hurry of everyday life. So when Taylor started to have headaches, her mom, Lisa, thought nothing of it. She took her to see her Baptist Primary Care Physician Assistant (and Taylor’s God-mother), Pamela Montano, as one of the list of things to do.

Taylor was diagnosed with a sinus infection, but to be thorough, a CAT scan was requested, as well. The test revealed a tumor in Taylor’s brain.

Taylor met with Dr. Aldana, a neurosurgeon at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The next day, Taylor underwent a 6-hour surgery to remove the tumor. This was a frightening time for the whole family.

Fortunately, the staff at Wolfson Children’s Hospital is trained in not only treating children, but truly caring for them and their families. Taylor’s family were kept in the loop for the surgery. Hospital staff checked in on them from time to time. And overall Taylor’s family felt like an extended family to the nurses, doctors and staff.

After the initial surgery it was determined that the tumor was benign. A follow up, though, would show a residual mass. Taylor had a second surgery and is now doing just fine.

Lisa remembers how much relief she felt by the confidence that the doctors and nurses had during their time with Taylor. And how they worked to make Lisa as comfortable as possible to stay with her daughter throughout the next 11 nights at the hospital.

Without Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Taylor’s story would have been difficult. It would have involved travel and lack of community support, but instead she was treated right here at home. Taylor remembers how some of the nurses went out of their way to bring in ice cream or Al’s Pizza on their days off because they knew how much she missed it.  Wolfson Children’s Hospital proved to be quite a blessing the entire Pappas family.

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