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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital is helping families get together for the holidays without the worry or stress of medical problems looming.

Known to everyone as “Granny and Gramps,” Judeen and Harry Ellison had been battling a sore on Harry well into the fall season after a cancer surgery in June. They were referred to the Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Wound Center to address the sore, and five weeks later, the Ellison’s are preparing for the holidays with family, and with Harry healed.

“It has been a miracle,” Judeen Ellison said. “They were marvelous, and they were like family almost. I was starting to get worried (about the wound), but they got it healed and were super nice … They were so good to us.”

Harry received treatment for five weeks at St. Vincent’s Chilton. The hospital followed up with the couple and sent Judeen home supplies to dress the wound once a week. Harry had a fall near the end of his wound treatment which required a stay in the hospital, but he was released from the wound center’s care while in the hospital for the fall.

Now nearing Chirstmas, over two weeks after Harry was released from the hospital, he is recovering from his fall. He commented that everything at St. Vincent’s Chilton, even down to staff providing meals throughout the day, was top shelf.

The Ellison’s have lived in Chilton County all their lives, and in the same house for nearly 60 years. They have seen both the problems of not having a reliable hospital in the same county, and the advantages of having one right down the road.

“I have a bad knee, so I do not walk around much,” Judeen Ellison said. “They brought me a tray every meal, because they knew. Had we had to go out of town for surgery or something, I do not know how I could have made it because I stayed night and day (with him), but my children would come so I could come home. It was so wonderful to be right here in Clanton and not having to travel far to and from. Everybody in Chilton County should be thankful to have this hospital.”

Judeen said the couple missed celebrating Thanksgiving with family during Harry’s hospital stay. However, they are preparing to welcome their family over to celebrate Christmas, and with a clear mind.