Harper's Heroes
Donation protected
Harper's Journey - What Is FPIES?
Harper Georgia was born 5 1/2 years ago with a rare allergy to protein. Approximately 2 years ago while at her hospital stay at Children's Hospital in Iowa City, Harper was diagnosed with FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). Harper is 80% formula-fed and has a small percentage of solid foods that she can tolerate. Her reactions to protein include internal bleeding, abdominal swelling, fevers, vomiting, distress, diarrhea, dehydration and shock (to name a few).
Living with FPIES has compromised her immune system. In this short amount of time over the past year, Harper has been diagnosed with 3 bacterial infections including Mono and Cat Scratch Fever, 12 different viruses, 3 major kidney infections, shock and dehydration. Harper has been living with daily fevers since January 12th, 2017. These fevers arrive without warning and range from 101-105 degrees. At times they are debilitating and exhaust her for days.
Over the past 12 months, Harper has spent close to 2 months in different hospitals ranging from Lincoln, Omaha, Iowa City, Iowa and Rochester, Minnesota.
Harper's doctors over the past year have included specialists from Infectious Diseases, Digestive Diseases, Immunology, Rheumatology, Hematology/Oncology among others. Even with the "best of the best" doctors and specialists we still have no confirmation that the fevers are coming from her FPIES.
After speaking with St. Jude's regarding Harper's case, they suggested we go to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. So now our journey to Behesda is starting with help from YOU!
Our recent 8-day stay at Mayo Clinic was not fully covered under our insurance and the cost for NIH will be approximately $10,000.
While we wish this was something we could do on our own, the reality is that is not the case. Anything you can give will be a huge help to Harper.
Please know that Harper and I appreciate your support so very much!
Harper Georgia was born 5 1/2 years ago with a rare allergy to protein. Approximately 2 years ago while at her hospital stay at Children's Hospital in Iowa City, Harper was diagnosed with FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). Harper is 80% formula-fed and has a small percentage of solid foods that she can tolerate. Her reactions to protein include internal bleeding, abdominal swelling, fevers, vomiting, distress, diarrhea, dehydration and shock (to name a few).
Living with FPIES has compromised her immune system. In this short amount of time over the past year, Harper has been diagnosed with 3 bacterial infections including Mono and Cat Scratch Fever, 12 different viruses, 3 major kidney infections, shock and dehydration. Harper has been living with daily fevers since January 12th, 2017. These fevers arrive without warning and range from 101-105 degrees. At times they are debilitating and exhaust her for days.
Over the past 12 months, Harper has spent close to 2 months in different hospitals ranging from Lincoln, Omaha, Iowa City, Iowa and Rochester, Minnesota.
Harper's doctors over the past year have included specialists from Infectious Diseases, Digestive Diseases, Immunology, Rheumatology, Hematology/Oncology among others. Even with the "best of the best" doctors and specialists we still have no confirmation that the fevers are coming from her FPIES.
After speaking with St. Jude's regarding Harper's case, they suggested we go to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. So now our journey to Behesda is starting with help from YOU!
Our recent 8-day stay at Mayo Clinic was not fully covered under our insurance and the cost for NIH will be approximately $10,000.
While we wish this was something we could do on our own, the reality is that is not the case. Anything you can give will be a huge help to Harper.
Please know that Harper and I appreciate your support so very much!
Organizer and beneficiary
Cori Engle Dorenbach
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
Melissa Abernathy-Jasper
Beneficiary
