7.10am 1st October 1990 Lauren was born - 36 hours later she was taken into intensive care and given lumber puncture which proved she had meningitis. A course of antibiotics were given for 2 weeks, then I was sent home with her with another 2 weeks of antibiotics.
After a couple of days at home she wouldn't settle. So back to a and e - another lumber puncture which showed it was still present along with sepsis - we were blue lighted to GOSH - where she was given another lumber puncture and then given vancomycin - I was assured by a lovely nurse she would be ok - she was my first born - such an awful time to see your poor baby with canulars in her tiny hands then the feet then her head.
We were sent back to our local hospital to continue the treatment. At this time we were also being made aware by the consultants of the dangers of meningitis - that she could lose her hearing - her limbs. My baby finally came home 16th December our amazing paediatrician Dr Cheriyan (whom I have tried to trace) did brain scan and tests and said my baby would make a full recovery. I know I am one of the lucky parents whose baby was not affected meningitis.
My daughter is now 33. I now have 2 beautiful granddaughters - I feel very blessed. It still upsets me today when I see the children affected by this disease.
