Heidi Ellingham's story

When I was eighteen years old, I was living in London. The weekend before, I had visited some friends at university in Liverpool. When I returned home, I started to feel under the weather. At first, I just assumed it was from drinking too much, not getting enough sleep, and generally feeling run down.

For a few days, I wasn’t feeling my best, but eventually, I felt well enough to go to work. That evening is when the shivers started. No matter how many blankets or hot water bottles I used, I couldn’t get warm. That evening, I curled up on the sofa with my mum to watch a film, but the cold just wouldn’t leave me.

The day everything changed

The next morning, I woke up at around 6 am, burning up with a 40 degrees Celsius fever. Panicked, my mum called NHS 111. They immediately suspected meningitis and directed us to an out-of-hours GP. By the time I arrived, I was so sore I could barely walk, and the light in the surgery was so blinding that I had to lie with a blanket over my face. The GP called for an ambulance, but after being told it could take a while, my mum drove me straight to the hospital.

Things quickly blurred from there. I remember an excruciating headache, vomiting uncontrollably, and not being able to tolerate any light. I was rushed for an MRI, then had a spinal tap done. I had to lie completely still afterwards, but mostly I remember begging the doctors to drill a hole in my head to relieve the pain, it was that unbearable!!

Isolated and alone

Because it was during COVID, adults weren’t allowed visitors. Even though I had just turned eighteen, I wasn’t allowed my mum to stay with me, and I felt very alone. Doctors weren’t sure if it was bacterial or viral meningitis at first, so they treated me aggressively with medication while I lay in a private room, sleeping most of the time. Even glancing at my phone was too painful.

After several days and a lot of crying and pleading, they finally allowed my mum to visit. I was so relieved. She brought me extra pillows, blankets, and orange juice, the only thing I could manage to drink. I spent eight days in hospital before being discharged with a bag of medication and strict orders for bed rest. I then spent another two weeks at home recovering.

Three years on

Looking back, I feel incredibly lucky that I was sent for treatment just in time. I know how deadly bacterial meningitis can be. I did suffer hearing loss as a result, which still affects my daily life, but I’m so grateful that it wasn’t worse. I’ll always be thankful for my mum’s quick thinking, love, and constant support during such a terrifying time.

Now, three and a half years later, I’m studying veterinary medicine and I find it so interesting to learn about the science behind conditions like meningitis! Life has moved forward in amazing ways: I play rugby (hopefully no more head injuries!), I love Taylor Swift, and I’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot too.

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