Help for Miriam Miller Recover from COVID-19

Miriam's Battle with COVID-19


Our family is reaching out for help for my sister, Miriam Miller. Miriam contracted COVID-19 in early June 2020.  She spent 87 days in the hospital. Her son, Luke, who is autistic, and husband Paul also contracted the virus. Thankfully, both were relatively unaffected and recovered in about 14 days.  Miriam was not so lucky. It hit her very hard. 

When Miriam arrived at the hospital her lungs were at a 10% capacity. She was literally suffocating. The doctors at Mission Hospital were fantastic. Everyone acted quickly and Miriam was diagnosed with COVID-19. She began the process of X-rays and CAT Scans but it wasn't long before our Miriam was put on a ventilator. The following days Miriam's conditioned declined rapidly and she was put in a medically induced coma. She was monitored 24 hours a day by the caring staff at the hospital. She moved to a rotating bed to help blood flow and decrease the risk of blood clots but in early July a blood clot was found in her upper leg that would have reached her heart and killed her. She was facing amputation above the knee. Surgery was performed and through the expert skill of Dr. Wang Teng and his staff they were able to remove the blood clot and save her leg.  Although her leg was saved, blood flow to the feet was lost. Her left foot and toes began to turn black and it remains unclear if she will keep all her toes.



Approaching mid to late July things were looking grim. We were all so nervous and praying together. I have 7 sisters and a brother, plus their kids and cousins. We all live in different places in the country and my mom and brother are in Mexicali.  We would get together on WhatsApp to pray and plan for the future. We were told at the time that if she did not start showing improvement in 2-3 weeks, some tough decisions were going to have to be made. Our family prayed every night together.  When possible, we would have the nurses put the phone up to her ear so she could hear the voice of her son, husband, and sisters. It was so hard not to be able to visit her. This was something her best friend wrote to me I wanted to share:

"I had the pleasure to be her sister’s best friend since Middle school and I had a great connection with her.  She became now my best friend and sister! I believe not a lot of people can have the treasure I have, and I thought I was going to lose my treasure. I experienced the biggest pain in my life while she was intubated. I felt a big hole and pain, in my stomach; feeling I was missing a part of me; until we started a daily prayer video chat and I realized how blessed I was to feel this pain because it shows all the love I had for her.  --Veronica Villarruel


I want to take this moment to share a little about our blessing, our miracle, my sister, Miriam. I love her so much. I know we're all biased when it comes to our family,  but it is important that you understand what a fantastic mother and wife she has been despite many challenges. If anyone could get through this, Miriam could. She's a tough cookie, but has the heart of an angel and loves to tell stories and jokes. She will have you laughing in no time and her beautiful smile and wonderful ways light up a room. Miriam is a Diva. Well, we all are, let's get real. ;) You know it! And as unique and special as  Miriam is, she's just like all of us. She's an American through and through. Her kids are American. Her husband is American. Miriam worked a job and her husband Paul worked too, but like millions of other Americans, Paul lost his job while his wife was going through this. However, he was able to get on Medicaid and is actively looking into relief programs. Miriam and her family are self-reliant, hard-working Americans that this Pandemic hit straight on like a Mack truck. Her son Luke has maintained such strength and composure through it all.  We are all so proud of Lukitito! 


At the first week of August our Miriam was not improving. The family was getting nothing but bad news. While Miriam was incubated, our Grandmother passed away. Miriam never got to see her again. Wherever Miriam was, we were doing everything we could to reach out to her with all our hearts.  About 4 days away from having to say goodbye to my sister she, for the first time in almost 2 months, rolled her eyes. Then a  hand. Another effort to open the eyes. This is literally where her recovery began.  And when we heard the news? Oh forget it! It was party time! We were so happy... and nervous, and hopeful. As happy as I was to see Miriam waking up, it was also heartbreaking to see her become aware of what COVID-19 had done to her body. 

It was August 8th the day Miriam woke up. And every day since that time she has been incredible. She did not allow herself to think anything but that she would go back to her family. She described it as a pull to her son and a determination to get back to her family and to her son was ever-present in this experience. She said she was surrounded by colors. Pink turned to purple, which turned to green. Finally, she said she saw yellow. Like the sun, it represented life. So she went to it and embraced it. Soon after she awoke. What a miracle!

Miriam is so thankful to all the medical staff who helped her survive and recover. She wants to write a book called 555 Shoes. When Miriam was recovering she would joke around with all the nurses and doctors. Because the doctors wore facemasks and shields, she got to know the doctors by their shoes. When the super white, brand new looking hospital type shoes walked in, she knew it was the head surgeon. When Converse walked in, she knew it was that tall, athletic PT coach! She counted them up. Altogether, there were 555 pairs of shoes worn by the wonderful people that helped keep her alive and bring her back to her family. It is truly an amazing story. And Luke, what a brave boy, was right there on September 17th when Miriam was finally was able to be reunited with her family. 

The most important part of this story is a huge win against Covid-19 and to have our sister back home. To the doctors and staff, we are rejoicing for Miriams's recovery and we are eternally thankful to you for saving her life, advancing her healing, and taking such good care of our sister while in your capable hands.

However, right now Miriam is faced with another challenge.  We were all astonished to see over 60 medical bills come in the mail totaling in excess of over 2 million dollars. Currently, we are working to find state programs, grants, and any other resources we can find to help pay these bills. However, we urgently need your help to ensure this family doesn't lose everything. They are literally on the brink of financial ruin. She is still recovering and will need additional care as she recovers. We hope to find a relief program and possibly our government can step in and help. However, we urgently need your support to help this family get back on their feet and start a new beginning.  

Please donate whatever you can.  

Thank you so much and God Bless You.


~The Manjarrez Family