Baby Eliza was born prematurely with hydrocephalus - a condition that causes excessive water retention in the brain termed Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Eliza's treatment has not just seen several bumps and red tapism but even now with help pouring in from Good Samaritans, there are hiccups.

Apparently, she was born in her seventh-month because her mother was undergoing high stress. The reason for her stress was due to her husband, Anand Waghmare, an aviation engineer with Air India, not being paid since April 2018 for exposing corruption

When baby Eliza was born, doctors were of the opinion that she would not survive for more than five days because she had an intraventricular haemorrhage. 

After two surgeries, including a botch up where a piece of catheter was accidentally left in her head, the infant survived miraculously, but is still in a critical condition and is in need of another surgery soon.

Neurosurgeons at KEM Hospital in Mumbai conducted a supra major surgery on her brain when Eliza was just one month old. She underwent her second surgical procedure on November 14, 2018, at Cooper Hospital in Mumbai. Eliza responded well after the procedure

On October 31, 2018, Eliza's head had swelled alarmingly. According to her father Anand Waghmare, he could see her veins and brain stems. All India Aircraft Engineers' Association, Bombay extended a helping hand to him and gave him a cheque of Rs 1,10,000 to fund Eliza's treatment. 

Not only did the readers come forward to help the family monetarily, but a neurosurgeon, too, offered to treat Eliza (four-month-old then) for free. Consulting neurosurgeon Dr Shashank Joshi, who works for the Cooper trauma centre, was so moved after reading about Eliza's condition that he agreed to take up her entire line of treatment for free

On November 10, 2018, Eliza's condition worsened and she was refused admission at Cooper hospital as the hospital staff cited unavailability of beds. 

On November 12, 2018, she was assigned a bed at Cooper hospital and her treatment was planned for after 2 days. 

On November 14, 2018, four-month-old baby Eliza successfully underwent a surgical procedure at Cooper hospital. 

On the work front, Anand has not been paid his salary even after he resumed duty at AIESL, Nagpur in December, and instead received a salary slip in January 2019, with a negative balance. The family has received over Rs 2 lakh in financial assistance for Eliza’s treatment from readers, the Aviation Association( South region) and also the All India Aircraft Engineers' Association, Bombay. 

Pic: Used for representational purpose

In Nagpur, Eliza's parents can't find a neurosurgeon to treat her. They resolved to remove the cerebrospinal fluid themselves. On average, they extract around 120 to 125 mg/dL. The circumference of Eliza's head has now increased from 45 cm to 47.5 cm (as of Saturday).

Pic: Used for representational purpose

On February 11, 2019 neurosurgeon Dr Shashank Joshi, attached to Cooper Hospital, informed Mid-day that baby Eliza (seven months old) will have to undergo an urgent replacement of the Ommaya catheter in her head or surgery at the earliest, as the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has started discharging. If untreated it could lead to infection. 

Pic: Used for representational purpose

At the same time, Eliza’s father Anand was dealt another blow when a division bench of the Bombay High Court dismissed his petitions of challenging his transfer and challenging a charge sheet against him for remaining absent from work.

Pic: Used for representational purpose