The story of Sloan McGillis is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, an inspiring journey that embodies unwavering resilience, determination, and the triumph over adversity.
Sloan entered the world in 2015, a precious addition to the McGillis family. Little did her parents, Joe and Jennifer McGillis, know that their baby girl carried a significant facial tumor, an unexpected revelation as there were no abnormalities detected during prenatal ultrasounds.
The early years of Sloan’s life were marked by a challenging medical journey, necessitating thirteen surgeries to completely remove the tumor that had taken hold of her face. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of medical professionals and the unwavering spirit of Sloan and her family, she now appears as any other typical young child. This is the remarkable odyssey of her life.
Sloan’s journey began shortly after her birth on February 25, 2015, when her parents noticed a facial growth. Alarmed by this development, they admitted her to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the third day. Medical examinations confirmed their worst fears: it was indeed a tumor.
Jennifer, recounting those initial moments with Sloan and her tumor, expressed, “They placed her in my arms, and at that moment, I was overcome with shock.” For Joe, it was a minute of sheer panic and terror.
Amidst the turmoil, the family found a glimmer of hope in Dr. Hardy, the physician overseeing Sloan’s treatment. Upon seeing Sloan shortly after her birth, he confidently identified the growth as a hemangioma and reassured the family, saying, “Your daughter is going to be alright.” Jennifer recalled that moment as the first sense of relief after 48 hours of turmoil and uncertainty.
The diagnosis revealed that Sloan’s condition was a hemangioma, characterized by reddish or purplish lumps on the skin resulting from rapidly proliferating cells in blood vessel walls. Though benign, these tumors can pose challenges and require surgical intervention. Sloan’s hemangioma, positioned on her face, made it difficult for her to fully close her mouth, but she adapted to it, and her parents decided against cosmetic intervention.
They chose a wait-and-see approach, hoping the tumor might naturally shrink over time. However, this decision brought new anxieties, as they feared the impact of curious stares and judgments on their daughter’s self-esteem. As Jennifer noted, “The world can be cruel at times.”
In January 2016, Sloan underwent her initial surgical procedure performed by Dr. Milton Waner at the Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York. It was a challenging moment for her parents, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Jennifer described the experience of watching her daughter enter the operating room, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time she held her. Fortunately, the surgery was successful in removing 90 percent of the tumor.
Yet, more surgeries lay ahead, accompanied by financial challenges. Lenox Hill Hospital in New York initially declined to accept Sloan’s Montana Medicaid insurance, complicating matters. The family faced a financial burden they weren’t prepared for.
Their journey took a turn when a bank in Missoula established a medical fund in Sloan’s name, online fundraising campaigns generated over $30,000, and the Hannah Storm Foundation raised enough funds to cover all of Sloan’s surgeries and hospital expenses in New York, totaling $100,000. These acts of kindness from their community and strangers alleviated their worries.
Jennifer and Joe express their gratitude to everyone who played a part in Sloan’s recovery, especially Dr. Hardy, whose pivotal role shaped Sloan’s new lease on life. Jennifer wrote, “As a mother, it’s challenging for me to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel towards Dr. Hardy. He may never fully comprehend the profound impact he has had on Sloan, myself, and our entire family. Thank you for undertaking actions on behalf of my daughter that we, as her parents, were unable to accomplish. You have truly become a dear friend to me.”
Today, Sloan bears a striking resemblance to any other typical child, a far cry from the child born with an enormous facial tumor. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, the unwavering support of a community, and the enduring strength of a family’s love.
