One of us, it might have been me but I can’t be sure, said ‘Go make him a hero.’ ...and then our favourite doctor picked Felix up and carried him carefully away

Bereft mum describes the last, shattering days with her son and how she found some hope in the terrible heartache

It is every parent’s worst nightmare, their child on life support and doctors without hope. For Lyall Wilde, 26, the nightmare became heartbreaking reality when her toddler son Felix became critically ill. He was only two when he developed meningitis just before Christmas last year. He became ill and had a seizure which doctors could only control by putting him into an induced coma. On Christmas Day he woke, before lapsing back into a coma. He would die two weeks later, without regaining consciousness. Now, his bereft mum has written a moving account of his final days and the maelstrom of emotions she went through. Speaking from her home in Dysart, Fife, she said: “I don’t want people to feel sorry for me or read a harrowing account of losing a child. “It is about being honest and open about our feelings and the thing I love most is when someone tells me something I have written made them smile or laugh. “I was just hoping to help people start talking about death and grief and all these issues.” Lyall admits that writing and publishing her account has helped her cope. “Writing draws out every emotion,” she said. “I will tear up at some parts, and be giggling to myself in others. “I remember the feeling of burning rage at some times, and then remember those pockets of peace that spurred me on. “There was so much love and positivity surrounding Felix. “What happened to him was sad but his favourite word was ‘happy’ and that’s what I always remember about him.” Lyall’s mum, Carolyn Cameron, a primary school teacher, said: “It’s heartbreaking to lose a wonderful grandson and then watch your daughter cope with it. “Lyall is a wonderful mum and daughter.” Felix’s organs were donated and helped save lives. His kidneys went to a man who had waited 10 years for a transplant. His heart valves have helped others.