Lewis Mandall (Ginny Lemon)'s story

Drag artist and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Lewis Mandall, also known as Ginny Lemon, shares their powerful and deeply honest experience of viral meningitis – from the first terrifying symptoms and hospital treatment to recovery, self-care and a renewed appreciation for the NHS.

 

The worst headache of my life

I remember bending down to check on the Sunday roast and I suddenly thought, “I’m not well enough to be cooking a full roast dinner. I had just released my new album ironically named ‘Fruit Loop’ and after my first live performance of songs from the album I came back the next day feeling terribly unwell.

I spent the next few days in bed, with hot and cold sweats and THE WORST HEADACHE OF MY LIFE (I later learnt that’s what all of us menny hennys say).

It wasn’t until I woke up with an obnoxious rash on my arm, right in the armpit of my Ursula the Sea Witch tattoo, I took one look at the rash and I knew what it was, even if hours later in A&E (accident and emergency) I was convincing myself I was fine. I rang the doctors, did the rolling of the glass and then went straight to A&E. After tests and the ever-so-delightful (NOT) lumbar puncture, a few hours and a cheese sandwich later, confirmed: I have viral meningitis.

Two weeks in hospital

I had to spend the next two weeks in hospital. I had never stayed overnight in a hospital before, and to me it was a nightmare – a superstar diva like me having to share a room with no ensuite! OMG!

For the next two weeks, I was given an IV drip, care, painkillers, food, a bed, a roof. The NHS saved my life. Yes, I was in pain, depressed and despondent, but the whole time I was surrounded by people working so damn hard at caring for people and saving people’s lives, mine included.

I couldn’t help but think what an idiot I had been for not shouting from the rooftops “SAVE THE NHS, I LOVE YOU NHS” – it wasn’t until I needed it most that I realised how much I truly appreciated the NHS. SAVE THE NHS! I LOVE THE NHS!

Even though my head was not good, my heart was full. I had the best people taking care of me, including my best mate Kim, my boyfriend Jack who kept me fed with endless homemade delicious food and naughty takeaways and my husband Tom who did literally everything else – keeping me in clean pants and biscuits.

The saddest thing for me was spending my hubby’s birthday and our 20th anniversary in hospital. I was convincing myself (but no one else) I would be better for that date – I wasn’t. However, having my husband by my side, I just felt lucky to be alive and loved.

Still knackered, still grateful

So I’m not going to lie, it was grim, and I’m still absolutely knackered babz after five months. I feel like my battery won’t fully charge because my plug socket brain is all out of whack and the wiring feels different. But I’m alive, surrounded by love and have a new enthusiasm to shout out SAVE THE NHS!

 

Advice and reflection

If I could share any advice for others going through something similar, I would say to rest! Take it nice and easy. I felt like such a nuisance being indescribably unwell, and I really had to learn to be kind to myself and rest.

Sharing personal experiences, particularly around health, is great because you get to learn about it in a sort of oral history. Hearing people’s stories really enlightened me a lot.

Even though I’m still recovering, I feel incredibly lucky to be alive, surrounded by love, and grateful for every bit of care I received. And yes – SAVE THE NHS!

 

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