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| Wyoming girl remains spunky while fighting cancer |
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| Wednesday, 27 May 2009 | |
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Jennifer Larson Community Editor Fighting cancer would normally take a lot out of a person, but not 6-year-old Emma Phillips. Sure, she gets drained after playing, though before you know it, Emma is ready to get back to having fun. However, it hasn’t been as easy for her parents, Lisa and Ted Phillips. After what the former Wyoming City Councilman describes as a bout of sickness, their vibrant daughter was diagnosed this past February with a form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. “The doctor’s just kept saying it was a respiratory infection,” he said. Ted credits Children’s Hospital in St. Paul with finding a cancerous tumor wrapped around Emma’s right lung, forming in the soft tissue. And now there is another concern after a recent scan. The tumor is shrinking but two more cancerous spots —both on her right side—were recently found; one on her shoulder and the other on Emma’s still developing ovary. “I’m just worried about getting her better,” said Ted. She has been a strong little girl while receiving chemotherapy. Emma will need surgery once the tumors are shrunk and completely contained. The fear is that if she goes under the knife and is opened up, the cancer could spread. In the future, Emma will most likely have ports implanted as they are often used to give chemotherapy treatment and/or other medicines to people who have cancer. Instead of going in for chemo once a week, she has been able to take melt away tablets twice a week. Ted added that the “chewable” treatment is not any cheaper. Upcoming benefit As of today, the couple have already burned through all of their pre-tax flex dollars. Friends and neighbors of the Phillips’ have put together a spaghetti dinner and silent auction benefit fundraiser slated for this Saturday, May 30 from 4-8 p.m. at the Forest Lake VFW Post 4210. The cost to attend the benefit is $10 for adults and $6 for children age 7 and under. The meal will include a salad, spaghetti dinner, bread sticks and coffee. Tickets will be sold at the door and in advance by calling Kelley Meyers at 651-462-4720. Donations are being accepted at all Lake Area Bank locations, including in Forest Lake at 91 S. Lake St. All the proceeds raised will go directly to the family to help with surmounting medical expenses. “It’s been a very humbling experience for me,” said Ted. He was a member of the city council from 2002-2006 and currently serves as the Vice President of the Wyoming EDA. An unbreakable spirit like Emma’s About two months ago when Emma started losing hair in chunks, she asked Ted to cut off her blonde locks. The family endearingly gave Emma the nickname “Fuzzy.” And to show their support, kindergartners at Wyoming Elementary School get to wear hats every Friday. There has even been discussion of a fellow classmate chopping off the inches needed to make Emma a wig. Fantastic Sams would then send the hair into Locks for Love. In the meantime, Lisa said her daughter is excited about participating in a horse show in North Branch this coming up weekend. She said the activity has been like therapy for Emma. “She doesn’t let too much slow her down,” said Lisa. “I wish I had her spirit.” Mom says Emma gives the “stink eye” when she gets looks or stares from people who don’t know the girl has cancer. Ted said without her hair she looks a lot like her brother Charlie, a 2nd grader. “Emma hasn’t lost her spunk,” said Lisa. “She just wants to live and do what she can.” Social Bookmarking ...       |
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