Blake Waller's story

Blake was showing signs of flu-like symptoms on Dec 8th – shaking, fever of 104-105, and yellow skin in his face. After vomiting continuously, I decided to take him to a nearby emergency room (around 11pm). Immediately he was given fluids and we (momma and grandma) were told he was very dehydrated and blood sugar was 235 (not normal for his case).

After a few hours at the local hospital, the doctor just looked at my son and said that he had us admitted at a bigger children’s hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Right then we hop into the ambulance and head that way with a dehydrated weak boy, heart rate of 150-180’s and a worried momma.

We knew something was wrong

As we get settled into his room at the children’s hospital, nurses immediately came in and started fluids and already started antibiotics (thank God). It was then around 4am… and nurses had no idea what was wrong, he clearly had an ear infection and a fever. Then a nurse sat him up in bed and he was so different with his posture, very stiff and couldn’t move his neck side to side. His eyes were there, but not responsively there.

So we took him downstairs and had CT scans done – they came back normal. Then they started to draw blood and his white blood count came back to a 17,000, and that’s when we knew something was wrong.

Around 9am we go down to PICU for a spinal tap (to check for meningitis), and of course there was no way this could happen to me and my son… but unfortunately the fluid was cloudy, and the blood culture came back as a bacterial meningitis H influenza – a very rare type, and we are still waiting on more cultures to grow to figure out the strain of influenza family that he has.

If it weren’t for the nurses acting quickly I don’t know where we would be. With that being said we are currently on day three, almost day four, and my baby is worn out and so, so sick… Momma has to take leave from work to take care of her son.

I want people to be aware of signs and symptoms. Don’t wait and don’t overthink it either. Signs, stiff neck, severe head ache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sensitivity to lights, high fever, symptoms come on quick.

I don’t know where Blake got this from. Even though it’s rare, it can happen to anyone.
Be aware and act quickly. Send positive vibes and prayers!

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