Mildura mother Elizabeth Miller to undergo third brain surgery

A five-year-old from Mildura has begged his mum to stay alive as she faces her third brain surgery and huge costs to cover it.

Elizabeth Miller is on the cusp of life or death surgery that will leave her $50,000 out-of-pocket, but it’s the words of her five-year-old son Harrison which have left her hoping for a miracle.

Young Harrison told the 32-year-old Mildura woman he did not want her to die after she revealed to him and his sisters — Adaline, Evelyn and Audrey — she must have a third risky operation on her skull and brain.

The operation will take place in Sydney, some 11 hours from the family’s home in regional Victoria.

Mrs Miller said she has no choice but to ask the community to donate to her GoFundMe as the operation is not covered by Medicare and she and her husband Aaron will be unable to work while she is recovering.

“One of the hardest things to do is ask for help but now I have no choice but to swallow my pride and ask for help,” she said.

She has a condition known as Chiari malformation type 2, meaning part of her cerebellum and brain stem are protruding through the small opening of her skull, causing neurological and physical problems.

A fluid-filled cyst — known as syrinx — is also causing spinal and nerve damage.

Chiari is affects less than one in 1000 people and syrinx impacts around eight in 100,000.

Elizabeth Miller underwent her first surgery in 2013.

Elizabeth Miller is about to undergo her third surgery for her very rare medical conditions. Her partner and four kids also live in Mildura. She will have to travel to a specialist in Sydney for the costly surgery.

The only chiari specialist in Australia is based in Sydney.

Surgeons will remove part of her skull and brain, putting in a metal plate to try to hold her brain in its rightful the position.

Without the surgery, Mrs Miller could die.

“My previous surgeons hinted that they’re not 100 per cent confident in performing another surgery,” she said.

“With this condition it normally only takes one surgery, maybe two, to have things under control but it’s very rare to need three (operations).

“I won the medical lotto having two super rare conditions and then becoming one of the rare ones needing more surgery.”

Mrs Miller said having four young children who needed her made the surgery outcome even more vital.

Elizabeth Miller loves her husband and four children.

Elizabeth Miller’s four children all rely on her care.

“My kids are amazing they are taking it all in their stride but my son and my daughter have said a few times that they don’t want my head to be cut open and my son has gotten a bit upset saying that he doesn’t want me to die,” she said.

“It’s very hard thing to hear that come out of your babies mouths and having to reassure them without making promises.

“My husband is amazing and has been my biggest support.

“I know that he has trouble coping with it sometimes when I have to talk about the serious side of things like having things in order in case something happens.”

Mrs Miller was diagnosed in 2013 after persistent migraines and sudden bloody noses and fluid coming from her ears.

“When I first got the diagnosis I was in shock being 23 and being told I would possibly need brain surgery,” she said.

“I cried on the phone to my mum.

“In September 2013 I underwent my first surgery.

“My symptoms seemed to come good for about two years but then came back two fold with new symptoms appearing.

“I had my second surgery in November 2016.”

Mrs Miller said she tried to make the most of every day because “life’s too short to worry”.

“I’m managing to stay pretty positive with it all what’s meant to be will be and I’m just trying to embrace my kids and family working on making memories,” she said.

If you would like to help Mrs Miller and her family you can donate here.