On Sunday, January 21, 2023, our family sat down to watch the Chiefs face the Bills in an AFC divisional playoff game. Right before the game started, my wife Hannah frantically called to me upstairs and urged me to come to the basement. When I came downstairs, I witnessed my 5-month-old daughter, Stella experience her first seizure, followed by many more. After rushing Stella to the emergency room, the doctors discovered in the following days and weeks in the hospital through EEG and MRI that Stella’s right frontal lobe was severely underdeveloped and significantly smaller than her left frontal lobe. This defect was the result of an anomaly in the cell replication process as her newborn brain continued to form.

Over the next two years, our family confronted this challenge with full force. We worked closely with our neurologist to find the right dosage of her anti-seizure medicine and determine correlations in her seizure activity. Stella began in home and out-patient physical, occupational, and speech therapy with a host of talented healthcare providers.

Throughout these past two years, our family has experienced both mountaintops of joy as well as valleys of deep grief. Respites in seizure activity, hearing Stella speak the words “momma” and “dah” (dada), and watching Stella take her first steps, when we previously thought she might never walk, have been rich treasures of God’s grace. However, watching Stella’s seizures return whether we change medication, increase dosage, or alter her medicine schedule, have been difficult, emotional burdens for our family to carry.

Now, our family is at a crossroads. With strong confidence, our team of doctors currently recommends a hemispherotomy (removing a portion of her brain) as the final step combat Stella’s epilepsy. Our baby girl needs brain surgery. Right now, we have no idea how much surgery will cost, what insurance will cover, or exactly how long this process will take. Due to the dynamic nature and uncertainty of this scenario, it would greatly bless our family with any contribution you feel comfortable giving. Our family humbly asks you for a donation in the event we cannot afford an element of Stella's medical bills, need support with childcare, or require additional assistance in Stella's post-operation recovery. Any funds that remain unused will be donated to families whose children also require surgery.

Finally, no matter the outcome of this ordeal, we fully believe, trust, and proclaim God’s goodness. As John 3:16 states, God loves us so much He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins so that you and I might be free! Our family rests in this promise as we look to our savior Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on the cross, friends.

With Love,

The Cook Family

Phil, Hannah, Emmalyn, and Stella