Meningitis is not a thing that you ever think is going to affect you until it does, and as our dear daughter Kira contracted the bacteria on Friday. We had a few very close calls over the last few days but she is out of the woods now.

I would like to thank all those wonderful people on this great scene for their great support over the past few days. You have been a tower of strength to us and we are so grateful to be part of such a fantastic group of people one again THANK ALL SO MUCH.

We hope she will be coming out later on this week.

Hi Anton

Hadn't heard about your daughter but we're both very pleased for you that she's gonna be OK.

Paul & Helen

We hope she will be coming out later on this week.

Sounds encouraging Anton!

Best wishes and a speedy recovery.

Ian.

Anton I knew absolutely nothing about this until you posted this up, not that I could have helped anyway but thank God she's alright, love to all of you.

jesus christ - is everything going to be OK?

do you need me to come down at all? is Nikkis Mum up looking after Jozef?

won't ring for a couple of days as I'm sure tis hectic there - but tell Nikki I'll talk to her midweek.

I'm here if you need anything

xxx

All the very best to you and your family Anton, here's praying for a speedy recovery, our children are the most precious things in our lives.

Pat

Hi Anton, I can't even imagine what you've all been through....first I've heard about it but relieved to hear everything seems to be okay now.

Regards

Mace

Only just read this and glad you daughter is going to be ok!

LOVE & Best Wishes to your Daughter for a speedy recovery back to health.

xxx Ian Cunliffe

Hi Anton, I just read this, I wish that every thing goes well, for your daughter Kira, you must have been going mad with worry the last few day's, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Willie

Don't know you but so pleased its worked out OK.

Deffo puts things in perspective.

Best Wishes

Tabs

Meningitis is not a thing that you ever think is going to affect you until it does, and as our dear daughter Kira contracted the bacteria on Friday. We had a few very close calls over the last few days but she is out of the woods now.

I would like to thank all those wonderful people on this great scene for their great support over the past few days. You have been a tower of strength to us and we are so grateful to be part of such a fantastic group of people one again THANK ALL SO MUCH.

We hope she will be coming out later on this week.

My heart goes out to you. I know what you been/going though. My daughter was eight months when she got Meningitis, she was in hospital for 4 weeks, its was the worst time of my life, she is 19 now with an 18 month son of her own. I often think about how lucky we were. just want you to hang on in there, there'll a lot tougher than you think

All the best

Steve

Although I don't know you and have not encountered this particular health issue first hand I do identify with you as a parent, and what you must have been going through these past few days. I wish you all the very best and for your daughters health to return to normal ASAP.

That is the only thing that comes before soul music - yes folks.... I know that's hard to believe, CHILDREN! (Soul)God bless each & every one of 'em!!

Can only imagine wot ur going through

Glad she is on the mend

Our daughter had a lumber puncture at 6 weeks as she had an unidentified 'virus' all turned out ok in the end they never found out wot it was! most aweful 6 weeks of my life.

Our thoughts are with you

Helen n Mark

XXXXXXXXX

I spoke to Nikki last night, and thankfully Kira is fighting the virus really well.

They are hoping that she will be transferred from the specialist hospital today back to their local hospital - and will be back home before too long. Its also looking likely that Kira will suffer no lasting damage from the illness or treatment.

dont know you anton

thank god your daughters on the mend

kids are the most precious think to us all

all of you keep well

all the beat rich

Anton & Nicki

Great to read that Kira is recovering, we heard about this Saturday night, and we were shocked to say the least. Children are precious, and the worry of your life, even when they become adults. We cannot imagine what you have been through over the past few days.

Love to you both, and of course to Kira

Martyn & Carol

Hi Anton

I don't know you and I guess you don't know me. 18 months ago my 24 year old daughter complained of headaches, earache and an aversion to bright lights. After watching her deteriorate quite rapidly I took the decision to scream the car with her in to the A&E unit at Wrexham Hospital.

At first they suspected nothing more than severe ear infection, but I pressed them to investigate the possibilty of her having contracted meningitis. They did one simple test of lifting her leg and bending it at the knee. This brought on severe pain in her spine and this was the start of major activity with doctors and nurses running here and there and pints of antibiotics being forced into her.

Off to the hospital ward where a lumber puncture was undertaken, and the results from the lab confirmed she had contracted bacterial meningitis.

My wife and I were immediately prescribed rifampicin, to knock out any infection we had potentially picked up (major side effect is to turn your pee day-glo orange). But the biggest problem was the fact that my daughter is a primary school teacher and had been in contact with hundreds of kids just a couple of days previously.

Whilst still at the hospital (4am) I was interviewed by the Local Health Authority's representative responsible for dealing with meningitis outbreaks to track all of my daughter's movements over the past few days; this led to a number of other people being contacted and prescribed dosages of rifampicin. The primary school was visited the following morning by its Local Health Authority and warning notices issued to all parents to keep very close watch on their children in the following days.

The hospital identified the route of the bacteria into my daughter's brain (via the mastoid bone) and operated to open up the mastoid and thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the area.

10 days in hospital with constant 24-hour infusion of the strongest IV antibiotics finally saw a recovery. But there were 3 months of convalescence which were not without their trauma - severe flebitis (inflammation of the veins and major swelling of the arms where the IV drips had been) and the development of a sickening looking skin rash from head to toe (diagnosed and successfully treated as a bacterial infection of the skin as a side effect of all the antibiotic intake).

Lisa has had two 'relapses' in April and May last year both resulting in emergency admission and treatment for severe mastoiditis; she is under the continuing care of Tristram Lesser, the North West of England's foremost expert in ENT.

But the good news is that, despite being within hours of losing her (I shudder to think what would have been the outcome if I hadn't insisted on A&E testing for meningitis), she has made a fantastic recovery, with no impairment of a long-term nature. She is back teaching, she has set a wedding date and making plans for that currently.

We are so grateful to still have her and for the care and expertise of the NHS through hospitals at Wrexham, Arrowe Park (Wirrall) and Walton (Liverpool) who have undoubtedly saved her life.

The Northern Soul community locally were extremely supportive to us during those very dark weeks - none more so than Soul Sam, who is a great personal friend and who had been Lisa's History and English teacher during her time at secondary school and has always 'looked out' for her.

Anton, many people will say that they know what you and your wife are going through, but I think it's a very personal journey that you take and no one will fully know what it's really like. I've been close to to it and really feel for you and sincerely hope that you have the same positive outcome we eventually have had.

My thoughts are with you and your wife and wish for a speedy and full recovery for your daugher Kira.

Best wishes mate

Brian

I spoke to Nikki last night, and thankfully Kira is fighting the virus really well.

They are hoping that she will be transferred from the specialist hospital today back to their local hospital - and will be back home before too long. Its also looking likely that Kira will suffer no lasting damage from the illness or treatment.

Glad to hear it. Hope you & Nikki are ok Anton. Can't imagine how you were feeling! Keep us updated to her progress.

Best wishes

Love Kylee.

What a horrible start to the new year,

glad she's on the mend!

Hi Anton

I don't know you and I guess you don't know me. 18 months ago my 24 year old daughter complained of headaches, earache and an aversion to bright lights. After watching her deteriorate quite rapidly I took the decision to scream the car with her in to the A&E unit at Wrexham Hospital.

At first they suspected nothing more than severe ear infection, but I pressed them to investigate the possibilty of her having contracted meningitis. They did one simple test of lifting her leg and bending it at the knee. This brought on severe pain in her spine and this was the start of major activity with doctors and nurses running here and there and pints of antibiotics being forced into her.

Off to the hospital ward where a lumber puncture was undertaken, and the results from the lab confirmed she had contracted bacterial meningitis.

My wife and I were immediately prescribed rifampicin, to knock out any infection we had potentially picked up (major side effect is to turn your pee day-glo orange). But the biggest problem was the fact that my daughter is a primary school teacher and had been in contact with hundreds of kids just a couple of days previously.

Whilst still at the hospital (4am) I was interviewed by the Local Health Authority's representative responsible for dealing with meningitis outbreaks to track all of my daughter's movements over the past few days; this led to a number of other people being contacted and prescribed dosages of rifampicin. The primary school was visited the following morning by its Local Health Authority and warning notices issued to all parents to keep very close watch on their children in the following days.

The hospital identified the route of the bacteria into my daughter's brain (via the mastoid bone) and operated to open up the mastoid and thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the area.

10 days in hospital with constant 24-hour infusion of the strongest IV antibiotics finally saw a recovery. But there were 3 months of convalescence which were not without their trauma - severe flebitis (inflammation of the veins and major swelling of the arms where the IV drips had been) and the development of a sickening looking skin rash from head to toe (diagnosed and successfully treated as a bacterial infection of the skin as a side effect of all the antibiotic intake).

Lisa has had two 'relapses' in April and May last year both resulting in emergency admission and treatment for severe mastoiditis; she is under the continuing care of Tristram Lesser, the North West of England's foremost expert in ENT.

But the good news is that, despite being within hours of losing her (I shudder to think what would have been the outcome if I hadn't insisted on A&E testing for meningitis), she has made a fantastic recovery, with no impairment of a long-term nature. She is back teaching, she has set a wedding date and making plans for that currently.

We are so grateful to still have her and for the care and expertise of the NHS through hospitals at Wrexham, Arrowe Park (Wirrall) and Walton (Liverpool) who have undoubtedly saved her life.

The Northern Soul community locally were extremely supportive to us during those very dark weeks - none more so than Soul Sam, who is a great personal friend and who had been Lisa's History and English teacher during her time at secondary school and has always 'looked out' for her.

Anton, many people will say that they know what you and your wife are going through, but I think it's a very personal journey that you take and no one will fully know what it's really like. I've been close to to it and really feel for you and sincerely hope that you have the same positive outcome we eventually have had.

My thoughts are with you and your wife and wish for a speedy and full recovery for your daugher Kira.

Best wishes mate

Brian

Bloody hell, that was as gripping as anything I've ever read on here, so glad everything turned out ok for you all.

Think I ought to start counting my blessings!

Bloody hell, that was as gripping as anything I've ever read on here, so glad everything turned out ok for you all.

Think I ought to start counting my blessings!

Thanks Pete - everything is turning out OK.

This disease is wicked and you have to be quick. Everyone assumes that unless the rash appears then it can't be meningitis - in our case there was no sign of any rash; just waiting to see if that appears is probably a fatal decision.

If any of the signs appear (especially with young children) then my advice is to take no chances, don't worry about wasting doctors' time, just go and get them to check it out. If you suspect meningitis insist that they do the checks before they discount it.

We had a lucky escape and Lisa's life was saved. You can perhaps see (other thread - Soul Night Disgrace) why I get so pissed off with anyone flippantly telling me to 'get a life'. When they've been there and through the trauma then, and only then, can they be anywhere near qualified to even contemplate making such comments.

Regards, mate

Brian

Edited January 14, 200817 yr by Brian Ellis

WOW... talk about scary.

So glad things are looking good for your little girl Anton.

Best wishes to both Anton's and Brian's families

Hi Anton

Hadn't heard about your daughter but we're both very pleased for you that she's gonna be OK.

Paul & Helen

same thoughts from us here Anton

Wulfie and Annie B

Meningitis is not a thing that you ever think is going to affect you until it does, and as our dear daughter Kira contracted the bacteria on Friday. We had a few very close calls over the last few days but she is out of the woods now.

I would like to thank all those wonderful people on this great scene for their great support over the past few days. You have been a tower of strength to us and we are so grateful to be part of such a fantastic group of people one again THANK ALL SO MUCH.

We hope she will be coming out later on this week.

God bless you all, you will be in my prayers!!! Makes the other thread on here ref Bootlegs, pale into insignificance for sure.

Best wishes,

John Mc.

Blimey Anton, so glad to hear the good news and i hope and wish the best of luck to all,

take care mate

Bearsy

Anton sorry mate just read this... really sorry if theres any thing I can do just let me know i'm only down the road you know that.

Pleased to read she is on the mend..

Love to both you and Nikki.

Paul and Emma

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

Fantastic news Anton, she is a beautiful Girl, like i said earlier best wishes to you all

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

Hope things are ok Anton and Mrs,see ya`soon bestest Ken

Edited January 14, 200817 yr by ken

Plessed she is getting there

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

Great to see that & all my best wishes for the future.

Also thanks to Brian Ellis for your story ! Brought a lump to my throat !

Me & my 17yo son havn't spoken for almost a week after a silly argument, & reading that has made me decide to go & sort out our differences

You never know what tomorrow brings do you !

I dont know you personally...but as a parent...i can only imagine your anguish over this and that is something i wouldnt wish on anyone....here's to her speedy recovery...mate..take care...Delxxx

Good luck to you and your family Anton and the same to Brian.

Winston

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

What a lovely photo. Hope she's back dancing soon.

Took Dad to see his little lady this morning at the hospital.

Although she's obviously not one hundred percent, I was very pleased to see her walking, talking and laughing again. Full credit to Kira who was on the critical list only forty eight hours ago.

The Ludders clan look very tired, but it was great to see them smiling again.

Hopefully this family won't be tested again for sometime.

They've had their quota of trouble over recent times bless 'em.

Well Suss.

Bloody hell, mate. Only just read this and our hearts go out to you. Glad eveything's fine now and here's to a speedy recovery. Give my love to Niki and the rest of your family.

Warren and Karen

Bloody hell, mate. Only just read this and our hearts go out to you. Glad eveything's fine now and here's to a speedy recovery. Give my love to Niki and the rest of your family.

Warren and Karen

Yes Anton - me too - hope everything works out fine and that gorgeous little girl is bopping like a goodun very soon.

Took Dad to see his little lady this morning at the hospital.

Although she's obviously not one hundred percent, I was very pleased to see her walking, talking and laughing again. Full credit to Kira who was on the critical list only forty eight hours ago.

The Ludders clan look very tired, but it was great to see them smiling again.

Hopefully this family won't be tested again for sometime.

They've had their quota of trouble over recent times bless 'em.

Well Suss.

Hey Chris, thats great news. PM me with the full gen please! Which hospital is Kira in now, and when will she be allowed home - all stuff like that

Hi Anton

Hadn't heard about your daughter but we're both very pleased for you that she's gonna be OK.

So glad everythig is going to be alright

Ken & Claudette

Hi everyone

This is Nikki, Antons wife and mum of Kira. I want to say a big heart felt thanks to all of you that have posted here and sent us personal messages. It has meant so much, the power of prayer and hope from people has been so important to us and is so warming to know people care. You're a good bunch you know!

She was allowed home today but is very weak and will continue her course of IV antibiotics at home. We know we have been so lucky, we thank are lucky stars this was caught so early as this as you know is such a terrible quick disease. People have had much more terrible encounters with this than us and I can only imagine what they have been through as I know what my little girl has gone through this week I would not wish on anyone. We thought we were going to lose her at the weekend and now shes been sitting at her dolls house!

With love to you all and real heartfelt thanks

Nikki Anton Jozef and Kira xxxx

Really good to know that things are going well for you and things are slowly getting back to how they should be...the thought of Kira playing with her doll's house made us smile, how lovely that must be for you after the trauma of the previous days....our best wishes to you all....Derek and Annie (Bristol)

A few problems this morning but this evening it was like someone turned a swich on she did some drawing and demanded to be taken for a walk in daddys arms off we went and she told me everything she saw along the hallway. Don't know if there will be any damage to here eyesight or hearing, but not really worried about that at the mo, just pleased we have our little girl back. and soon she will be dancing like this again

HI ANTON,

REALLY SAD TO READ OF YOUR'E BAD NEWS!

I HOPE & PRAY EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU!

ALL THE VERY BEST

MAX

Nikki Anton... good to read your message about Kira being home..

Take care yeh..

Me and Em and thinking of you x

sorry to hear this news, only just read this thread, glad shes on the mend, all the best woody and lou xx

Hi everyone

This is Nikki, Antons wife and mum of Kira. I want to say a big heart felt thanks to all of you that have posted here and sent us personal messages. It has meant so much, the power of prayer and hope from people has been so important to us and is so warming to know people care. You're a good bunch you know!

She was allowed home today but is very weak and will continue her course of IV antibiotics at home. We know we have been so lucky, we thank are lucky stars this was caught so early as this as you know is such a terrible quick disease. People have had much more terrible encounters with this than us and I can only imagine what they have been through as I know what my little girl has gone through this week I would not wish on anyone. We thought we were going to lose her at the weekend and now shes been sitting at her dolls house!

With love to you all and real heartfelt thanks

Nikki Anton Jozef and Kira xxxx

Hiya Nikki & Anton,

Like many others i,ve only just seen this awfull news about your little girl Kira can only imagine what you must have been going through as a parent of three myself.....your worst nightmare imaginable springs to mind!!! My heart goes out to you & Anton... so glad she,s at home now although weak now..... i hope she makes a speedy recovery and gets well real soon!!! My thoughts are with you

Helen & Martin xxx

Hi everyone

This is Nikki, Antons wife and mum of Kira. I want to say a big heart felt thanks to all of you that have posted here and sent us personal messages. It has meant so much, the power of prayer and hope from people has been so important to us and is so warming to know people care. You're a good bunch you know!

She was allowed home today but is very weak and will continue her course of IV antibiotics at home. We know we have been so lucky, we thank are lucky stars this was caught so early as this as you know is such a terrible quick disease. People have had much more terrible encounters with this than us and I can only imagine what they have been through as I know what my little girl has gone through this week I would not wish on anyone. We thought we were going to lose her at the weekend and now shes been sitting at her dolls house!

With love to you all and real heartfelt thanks

Nikki Anton Jozef and Kira xxxx

Hi Nikki & Anton,

This is the first we have heard of this, so sorry to hear about Kira.

We do hope that Kira makes a speedy recovery~our thoughts go out to you and Anton too~loads of love.

Suzy & Phil xx

Meningitis is not a thing that you ever think is going to affect you until it does, and as our dear daughter Kira contracted the bacteria on Friday. We had a few very close calls over the last few days but she is out of the woods now.

I would like to thank all those wonderful people on this great scene for their great support over the past few days. You have been a tower of strength to us and we are so grateful to be part of such a fantastic group of people one again THANK ALL SO MUCH.

We hope she will be coming out later on this week.

just read the posting, anton i hope everything is ok speedy recovery bless her heart.

Billy

I found this poem after Paul died,

have printed it out and keep it on my kitchen wall as a reminder...

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time

That I'd see you fall asleep,

I would tuck you in more tightly

and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time

that I see you walk out the door,

I would give you a hug and kiss

and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time

I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,

I would video tape each action and word,

so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,

I could spare an extra minute

to stop and say "I love you,"

instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time

I would be there to share your day,

Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,

so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow

to make up for an oversight,

and we always get a second chance

to make everything just right.

There will always be another day

to say "I love you,"

And certainly there's another chance

to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,

and today is all I get,

I'd like to say how much I love you

and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,

young or old alike,

And today may be the last chance

you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,

why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes,

you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time

for a smile, a hug, or a kiss

and you were too busy to grant someone,

what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,

and whisper in their ear,

Tell them how much you love them

and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"

"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."

And if tomorrow never comes,

you'll have no regrets about today.

Loads of love to you and all your family

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx