Mary Farnan describes how her son, Alan (23), contracted meningitis with, sadly, a fatal outcome
MY HUSBAND Denis and I have had three children, Genna, Alan and Steven. We live in Castleknock and I have run a playschool for the past 10 years. Because it is so important to be vigilant in my work with the children, I am very well informed and aware of the symptoms of meningitis.
On August 10th, 2006, my son Alan went to work as usual. He was in his normal good humour and showed no signs of feeling unwell. Alan was a very tall and well-built 23 year old. On his way to work he dropped his brother Steven to the train, and went on his way.
At around noon he began to feel unwell, and by 2pm his boss was worried enough to drive Alan home.
Alan was home by 2.20pm, and at that stage he needed help walking. His temperature was 39 degrees and he had a very rapid heartbeat. He complained of pain in his neck.
I tried to get in contact with the family GP but to no avail, so instead phoned the VHI Nurseline. The nurse I spoke to told me to call an ambulance and get to the hospital as quickly as possible in case of meningitis.
Alan arrived at AE at 3.50pm. He wasn’t presenting a rash, so the doctors had difficulty in making a diagnosis. Also, Alan had just spent two weeks on the Shannon, so the doctors thought he might have picked up a virus from the water.
I had given Alan paracetamol at home, so he was not given any medication at the hospital. He was experiencing pain in every part of his body, which was getting worse. He asked for something to relieve it and was given one Difene.
I had noticed that although he was burning up, his feet were very cold. At midnight it was decided that he should have a lumbar puncture, as doctors were still unclear of Alan’s condition.
His oxygen levels were dropping, and at 2.15am, a rash appeared all over his body. It looked like he was covered with tiny bruises. His glands swelled up, and blood-stained tears ran from his eyes.
At this stage I was told to prepare for the worst, and to call the rest of our family to the hospital.
The junior doctor, who was on duty that night, then phoned the consultant and he came to AE. It was only at this stage that Alan was given the appropriate treatment for meningitis
We were told that Alan would be taken to the intensive care unit and kept asleep and on a ventilator for three days to give him a better chance.
My husband and I then spoke to Alan and told him what was happening so he wouldn’t be scared. He understood what we were saying and we left the room while they got him ready.
A few moments later we were told that things had taken a very bad turn, and when we got back in to Alan he died.
Our son passed away at 6am on Friday, August 11th, 2006. It was very quick and very unreal.
We will never know if Alan would have survived if he had been treated for meningitis straight away.
I believe that all people, including professionals, need to know not to wait for a rash, as it may or may not appear. Alan’s death certificate read “Meningococcal Septicaemia. Heart Failure”.
Our lives have changed so much since that horrible day. We will never be the same again. Our larger-than-life, wonderful son is no more. There is an ache in our hearts that we hide as we get on with the job of everyday living.
Sometimes it would be easier not to get up in the morning, but we have our other two beautiful children, Genna and Steven, to live for.
At the time of Alan’s death, the hospital had to notify the health authority and we were given preventative medication.
They also put us in touch with the Meningitis Research Foundation. We feel that they have really understood our pain and we have learned so much from them. They continue to be an ongoing source of support for our family. We had so many questions and they were there to answer them all for us.
I believe that we took all the correct steps in attempting to seek appropriate intervention for our son Alan’s presenting symptoms, but unfortunately more education is needed in hospitals.
On 11th August, 2006, our lives were shattered. My husband and I believed, like most parents, that, firstly, something like this would never come to our door and, secondly, that if it did, we would recognise it, and be able to take the appropriate steps to save our child.
If you have had a health experience, good or bad, that you would like to share, e-mail healthsupplement@irishtimes.com