Jadine Smith's story

I woke up on Monday the 13th of February 2012 and felt a bit funny. My head was spinning but I simply assumed it was just that Monday morning feeling.

I stumbled into the kitchen and looked in the mirror on the wall to check my hair wasn't awful. I looked straight ahead of me and felt dizzy and everything went blurry for a second. I sat on the couch and relaxed there.

When I woke, my chest felt tight and my throat was painful. I tried to call out but my voice was restrained. I came to the conclusion that I was ill. My mum gave me some Calpol but it didn't really seem to have any effect.

My head pains progressed until I couldn't move. I struggled to eat and ate a measly couple of slices of toast. I spent the day on the couch in my pyjamas and eventually made it to bed.

The next day was worse. I made my way to the couch and stayed there the whole day. My nana was babysitting while my mum and her partner went out for a meal. When they returned three hours later they tried to get me to bed and it was agonising trying to move. My mum called NHS24 and I ended up being bundled into an ambulance and taken to hospital, which wasn’t my ideal way of spending Valentine’s Day!

I was diagnosed with viral meningitis. My mother texted my nan and stepfather the news and accidentally told them I had bacterial meningitis, putting them into a furious panic.

I got home at 1.30am and had some toast and had some medication. The next day wasn’t any better either – my head still reeling and my throat much worse.

I couldn't audition at my stage school for a part I really wanted which was disappointing, but I think myself lucky that I survived meningitis.

It lasted for only a week but I can honestly say that was the worst seven days of my life. I wouldn't wish meningitis on my worst enemy.

Jadine Smith
February 2012