Watch CBS News

"Free Care Fund Telethon" To Help Children's Hospital

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Elizabeth Dietz and her brother, George, take a break at Children's Hospital.

The 7-year-old girl from West Newton first came to the hospital three years ago, after her mother witnessed two grand mal seizures.

"They found her tumor, says Angela Dietz. "They followed it. They watched the growth."

"Never thought it would happen to one of your children," says her husband, George. "But when it does, it's hard."

"We tried to decide if surgery would benefit her," Angela adds. "But because of the location of the tumor, it was a dangerous operation to do."

Epilepsy specialist Dr. Satyanarayana Gedela says the decision was made after medication failed.

"She was having five or six seizures a day, where she used to fall, and have convulsive movements on the right side of the body, losing consciousness," her doctor says. "And it was terrible. It was making her life miserable."

Two surgeries were performed on the girl, then 6 years old. Finally, the family arrived at the moment they'd been waiting for.

"We were able to go home without patient therapy, and she did great," says Angela Dietz.

Though she has a tingling in her right leg, and occasional mild seizures, Dr. Gedela says, "She's at present 100 percent back to her self -- bubbly, talking and living her life."

The 60th annual "Free Care Fund" telethon for Children's Hospital is coming up on Thursday, Dec. 19.

RELATED LINKS
More From Dave Crawley
More Health News
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.