At 7.10 am on the 1st October 1990, Lauren was born and 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 two weeks, then I was sent home with her with another two weeks of antibiotics.
After a couple of days at home she wouldn't settle. So back to A&E (accident and emergency), another lumber puncture which showed it was still present along with sepsis. We were blue lighted to GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital) 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 on the 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 two beautiful granddaughters, I feel very blessed. It still upsets me today when I see the children affected by this disease.
Lauren Plumtree
October 2023
