Six-year-old Ryleigh Turnage’s surgery Tuesday, which was detailed in Thursday’s edition of The Columbian-Progress, to assist her right leg due to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) was deemed a “complete success,” according to her surgeon.
PVL has caused Turnage to turn her right foot while walking. Heather Turnage, her mother, described the surgery Wednesday evening.
“Ryleigh Grace Turnage had her tendon, inner hamstring lengthening and subtalar implant surgery on June 22,” she said. “The surgery was performed by Dr. Matthew Dobbs of West Palm Beach, Fla. He said the surgery went well and was a complete success.”
While they are very grateful for everything Dr. Dobbs has done for them, Heather said their insurance would not pay for the surgery. The medical expenses are at least $30,000, none of which is covered by insurance.
The Turnages are using multiple fundraisers to assist with the medical expenses, such as dinner at Kane’s Seafood and Steakhouse on July 13 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., two make-up baskets raffles and a raffle for a Ruger 6.5 Creedmore Rifle. See anyone in the Turnage family for tickets.
Heather and her husband, Travis, expressed their appreciation and outpouring of love from the community.
“Travis and I would just like to thank each and every one of you who have donated on her behalf, participated in fundraising and for those who have simply sent her up a prayer. You all truly mean so much to me and my family, and we are forever grateful for our small town,” Heather said.
The Turnage family flew back to Columbia Thursday. Ryleigh will be unable to walk for the first two weeks and will be in a cast for another four weeks.
