‘Miracle child’ still confounds medical experts
WHEN little Lucas Hughes was almost a year old he almost died from meningitis - but just look at him now.
As the tot tenaciously clung to life his terrified parents feared he would lose limbs to the disease and were warned even if he did survive the deadly infection he would never read or write.
But since defying all expectations to go home from hospital after two months, Lucas, now 13 years old, has continued to confound experts and is preparing to study for GCSEs next year.
His proud mum, Toni Rankin, of Bollington, said Lucas is her ‘miracle child’ and she is so proud of how he has excelled at school.
She said Lucas was rushed to Stepping Hill hospital with meningitis symptoms and was given an injection of antibiotics immediately.
“I was later told if he hadn’t have had that as soon as he did, he wouldn’t be here today,” said Toni, 38.
Lucas was put into intensive care and remained in hospital for eight weeks.
Toni added: “He was in such a bad way with tubes all over him. As a mother it was agony to watch. Doctors told me there was not much hope of him surviving. They even told me to prepare for the worst.”
Within 48 hours, they had determined it was meningitis B and Lucas had to go through several blood transfusions. But within days started to improve.
Toni added: “Doctors told me they thought everything was going to be ok. It was still touch and go but the thought that he might make it was incredible.
“There was another child in hospital at the time who had the same as Lucas and had to have limbs amputated so I prepared myself for that. But to be honest, I was he just glad he was going to live.”
After eight weeks in hospital, Lucas was allowed to go home. Due to the condition, his brain swelled meaning his head was twice the size of a child his age. Toni said she knew there would be some effect on him in the future.
She said: “Doctors said there had been some damage to the brain and expected he would not be able to read or write. I was always so grateful he survived so knew we could get through anything that happened.”
But since then, he made a miraculous recovery. “He had to learn to walk again but then he started to read, write and all the other milestones children have,” Toni said. “He didn’t need any more hospital appointments and just carried on as if nothing had happened.
“Lucas did have learning support at primary school but now he will sit his GCSEs at All Hallows Roman Catholic High School in a few years. He is flying and is expected to get above average results. So for him to be one of the top achievers at his school is incredible.
“It’s a miracle story.”