May Sponsor Family Update

Eliza Hope Miller

Earlier this month I introduced you all the Eliza Hope Miller. Since my introduction, Eliza has undergone her bone marrow transplant and engraftment of cells has begun. This is positive, however, growth has stopped at 44%. As of this morning, things aren't looking up for Eliza. Her story can be read here. And if you would like to follow Eliza and be updated you can follow her experience on Facebook here.

"Eliza Hope Miller was born on November 12, 2012. She was born with a rare disease. No one really knows what it is. Currently they have her diagnosed as "congenital IPEX-like with features of dyskeratosis congenita.

"It appears that Eliza's immune system is attacking her GI tract, giving her chronic diarrhea and making it impossible for her to eat. Currently she is on what is called TPN, which is in IV form and gives her all of her nutrition. This is damaging to the liver, however, so it is not a viable long-term option.

"If Eliza has dyskeratosis congenita (DKC), she will eventually go into bone marrow failure, which is fatal. Her other organs will also be effected, looking like an old persons organs, and they will eventually give out.

"Though we are not exactly sure what is going on, the hope is that the BMT will fix Eliza's GI problems, by getting rid of her immune system that is attacking her body and giving her a new, healthy Immune system. If Eliza does indeed have DKC, a BMT will prevent the bone marrow failure, but it will not fix the other organs.

"Eliza has gone through 2 weeks of chemo, which killed off her immune system. She received her new cells on May 1st, donated to her from her 6-year-old sister. We now wait, with hopes that her new cells will engraft, giving her a new, healthy immune system. We hope that we will find more answers about her disease in the future."

From Eliza's dad as of this morning: Eliza was "admitted to the hospital for gallbladder stones, pancreatitis, and a liver that is... very upset. The doctors have been basically fighting over whether they should do surgery immediately or wait and see if it resolves on its own." But within the last few hours he says it looks like a few of the issues may resolve themselves but it is still too early to tell.

With a heavy heart on this Saturday I am reaching out to my readers. If you are a praying person would you please remember the Miller family and baby Eliza in your prayers? Some of you may remember that we sponsored this family when they went through this with another child, Seth, an helped with his final expenses. This family has been through so much. Please say a prayer for them.

Last month was a slow month for us and we were only able to raise $95.00 for Eliza. I have no sponsor for next month so we will continue to sponsor Eliza. If you feel so inclined to submit a donation of any kind to this family please feel free to contact me. Or you can contact them directly through Eliza's Facebook page.

On a side note, if you are aware of anyone that could take advantage of our Sponsorship Program please let me know at windowsbymelissa@gmail.com. We want to help anyone we can. We have been very blessed with wonderful customers and a successful business and want to pay it forward. Please let me know how I can be of help to you or someone you may know.