Kristen Gillespie's story

November 2014, (age 33) I was 7 months post-partum from having our youngest child.

2 weeks prior to being diagnosed I had a severe sore throat but it improved as I was treated for Strep.

Fast forward 2 weeks on a Wednesday evening I just didn’t feel well/right, the next day headache, fever, chills, and dizziness so I went to the doctor. They checked my blood counts and they were ALL normal. Doctor offered me a shot for my pain which I declined because I was nursing my baby.

3rd day, Friday I noticed more head pain, could no longer lay down because that caused more pain. It got so bad I closed all the room darkening shades and had to squeeze my hands against my head just to walk to the bathroom. 4pm that afternoon I went to the ER. Could barely walk in because of head pain. CT scan done immediately and there were “markers” on the scan which caused the doctor to do a spinal tap.

Within minutes the doctor and nurse came in suited up because I was confirmed meningitis.

Whisked off to a larger hospital and admitted to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit where I was treated with Vancomycin and Rocephin for just over 3 weeks.

So thankful for a “full recovery.” Three years later, my memory is awful, I misplace words often, and suffer from depression. Thankful to still have all my limbs, etc. as I know others don’t often survive with these few symptoms.

God is good!

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