HOMEFOR CHRISTMAS
Braveboyleaveshospitalaftermeningitisscare
A little East Kilbride boy enjoyed Christmas at home with his family following a horrific meningitis ordeal.
Earlier this month, two-year-old Elijah Bell walked out of hospital and is now having festive fun at home with his mum, dad and little brother Isaac following almost three months in the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
During most of Elijah’s stay, he was unconscious in bed. He had no movement on his right side, and his parents – Natalie and Jamie – had no idea what his future looked like.
Elijah first became unwell in September when he had a spike in temperature. At first, it was suspected that he had a viral infection, followed by tonsillitis due to his symptoms.
Elijah quickly began to deteriorate and could barely stand. He was stumbling all over the place. His concerned GP referred him to University Hospital Wishaw.
At hospital, things progressively got worse, and Elijah was sleepy to the point of unconscious. After tests, it was confirmed that Elijah had Pneumococcal Bacterial Meningitis. He was put on antibiotics and after five days, started to show a little bit of progress.
Elijah’s mum, Natalie said: “He was getting on top of his infection, but then on day six, he completely deteriorated, and he started having seizures. It was at this point we were transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
“When we arrived, the team placed him in an induced coma for two days to try and get control of the seizures and prevent any further brain damage. We thought we were going to lose him.
“We had no idea what was going to happen, and we have never been so scared in our entire lives.
“After a few days, the doctors removed his tubes and he was able to breathe on his own, but he was still very much asleep and unconscious, to the point where he was unable to open his eyes for days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.”
The neurologist advised that Elijah had suspected areas of stroke due to vasculitis as a complication of meningitis. After five days in PICU, Elijah was moved to the Neurology Ward, but he was sleeping about 90 per cent of the day.
Elijah then had an external drain fitted to his head to help drain this. Prior to having the surgery, he had right-sided weakness because of the areas of stroke.
He couldn’t move his right leg or arm. After he had the fluid drained, he began to move his right leg again. The drain was in for around two weeks, and, on Halloween he had further brain surgery, and a shunt was fitted for life.
Natalie continued: “It was at this point that we saw a big improvement in him. After his post-surgery recovery, he had intense neuro rehabilitation which included daily physio, speech and language, occupational therapy and daily visits from different doctors as well. He made amazing progress.
“At this point we were allowed home for visits and Elijah took a couple of steps unaided in the house which was amazing. We couldn’t believe he was able to walk. The doctor was lost for words.”
The home visits had helped Elijah’s recovery so much that the hospital team decided that he would make more progress at home full-time. Elijah was officially discharged on December 7 and walked out of the hospital, holding his parent’s hands.
Natalie added: “The first weekend we got home, you would have thought it was Christmas Eve in our house. When the boys woke up the next day, our Christmas tree was up, and it was all snowy outside. It really was magical. We are so grateful Elijah is here. We owe the medical team at the Royal Hospital for Children. They saved our son.”