Dear friends,
With a full and grateful heart, I want to share that the fundraiser is officially over. Lorine and I are overwhelmed—in the best possible way—by the love, generosity, prayers, and encouragement you have shown our family.
For years, I’ve had a quiet dream of seeing friends from different seasons of my life come together—school days, past careers, present work, and future paths. Somehow, in the middle of this storm, that dream became real. People I hadn’t spoken to in 30 years, along with people I’ve never even met in person, joined together to help our little family. That alone has changed me.
You can’t really pay someone back with the same emotional intention they gave you—but I can promise this: I have, and will continue to, serve my fellow man the way Jesus so beautifully taught. Sometimes with a hug, sometimes with an ear, sometimes with food, sometimes with money, sometimes with a gentle kick in the pants—but always with love.
Here’s where things stand with Baby Zia:
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About half of the medical bills are now paid, and I am actively negotiating time and terms on the remaining balance.
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Zia herself was… really not doing well. She went ten days without a bowel movement, which is incredibly difficult for anyone—especially a baby—to survive.
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On the tenth day, the obstruction miraculously moved on. Tears of helplessness and frustration were replaced with tears of joy. I slept for a full day.
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Three days later, our daughter is out of the woods.
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The hydrocephalus shunt is working beautifully, draining almost all the excess fluid from her head.
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Now the only one with a big head in the family is me.
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Three days after that bowel movement, the swelling is almost gone. Her color has nearly fully returned.
If I could show you a before-and-after picture, I would—but I hesitated to share the “before.” She truly did not look like she was going to make it.
We are now out of the most serious danger. I still need to finish paying off this chapter and eventually save for a future spinal operation. I will cross those stones as they come.
For now, please know this: your kindness saved more than money—it restored hope. You reminded us that we are not alone, and that love shows up when it’s needed most.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.
With gratitude and love,
Timothy & Lorine Phillips