Loss of a child (strep. pneumo.)

[HL325]

My 2-year-old son contracted pneumococcal meningitis in 2008. Prior to his diagnosis we were told he had stomach flu. After several days of visits and phone calls to the doctor's office, he eventually had a spinal tap. The doctor observed the cloudy fluid and knew my son needed to get to a hospital ASAP. He was rushed to the ER and we spent nine days in the PICU. On day seven, he had a stroke that affected his brain stem. He was then declared brain dead and life as we knew it changed in an instant.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? My husband and I have found ourselves feeling isolated at times due to the rarity of bacterial meningitis, not to mention losing a young child and experiencing the discomfort of others -- not knowing what to say, how to act, etc.

[dmat01]

I am so sorry for your loss of your child, I came so very very close to losing my husband. Although he did live, I lost a huge part of whom and what of him. Yes, there still is a lot left, but the journey back to health and since is not easy.

He went to the ER with a headache and flu like symptoms.' He was medicated and was going to be sent home, when he started "keening" and lost consciousness. He had suffered a stoke, loss his hearing, unable so speak, walk, and much much more.

Eight days Later, he woke from the coma, and life is much different. We can not take any thing for granted. He is regained a lot, but those aftermath problems are there! He can walk, talk, has balance problems,memory problems and hearing loss.

I feel so alone and isolated a lot of times, too. No one within my community has faced this within thier familes. So, I wing a lot of things, going by the seat of pants, make mistakes, have some strives, but we don't give up. Give in at times because we are tired, scared, and hungry for advice. After each dark moment, the Sun does shine again.

Please feel free to talk to me. You may need as much as I do at times. I may not waht to say, but I know to say something. I will add you as a friend. Bless You!

[sumrluvin66]

I am so sorry for you loss. I know what it's like to lose a child. My daughter passed away at 8 months old in 1994. She did not pass from meningitis, but I know the depth of loss in losing a child. My heart goes out to you. Jo

[harvey1941]

My 2-year-old son contracted pneumococcal meningitis in 2008. Prior to his diagnosis we were told he had stomach flu. After several days of visits and phone calls to the doctor's office, he eventually had a spinal tap. The doctor observed the cloudy fluid and knew my son needed to get to a hospital ASAP. He was rushed to the ER and we spent nine days in the PICU. On day seven, he had a stroke that affected his brain stem. He was then declared brain dead and life as we knew it changed in an instant.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? My husband and I have found ourselves feeling isolated at times due to the rarity of bacterial meningitis, not to mention losing a young child and experiencing the discomfort of others -- not knowing what to say, how to act, etc.

My son Mike died almost one year ago, from bacterial Meningitis. He had been having severe headaches on Wednesday, so bad he had to leave work and come home. On Friday morning his sister took him to the ER at 4am. They treated him for sinus infection after a CT scan showed that, they did not find the infection and did not do a spinal tap. After five house they sent him home., he did not want to go, his pain was so intense. At 1 pm, my son was taken back to the ER and was non-responsive, semi comotose. A new ER doc immediately recognized what he thought was meningitis. They flew my son to the trauma center. At 6pm they moved him to the NeuroICU, telling us he was very sick and the next 24 hours would tell. At 10:30 that same evening they told us he was dead. His brain has swelled from the bacterial meningitis infections and he was brain dead.

My Son Mike was only 44 years old. We will host a golf outing in his name and the donatiosn from his friends will go to the MFA organization.