A 26-year-old mother has shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter Ameilia, who nearly died from brain abscesses, and is now urging other parents to watch out for the warning signs.
Jemma Hamilton took to Facebook and explained that Ameilia was only five when she had become lethargic after using their family hot tub.
Doctors told them that Ameilia had developed life-threatening growths on her brain.
“She spent the night being observed in Wishaw and the CT scan results came the following day and confirmed her diagnosis,” Jemma wrote on Facebook. “She had not one, but THREE puss filled abscesses on her cerebellum which were putting pressure on her optic nerve, hence the squint/dizziness/double vision etc.
“Caused by a bacterial infection which probably entered her brain through the ear (remember her ear infection a few weeks previous which we thought had cleared up?) She needed immediate treatment, but Wishaw was not equipped for this kind of condition.”
Jenna continued: “We were told it was very rare and she needed specialist paediatric neurosurgeons to take over her case. We were even asked if student doctors/specialists could meet her and look over her notes as things like this don’t happen often so would be very beneficial for them to see.
“That night, we were transferred for the 4th time in two days, by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. On arrival, they sat her dad and me down, and explained that her condition was life threatening and that she must start IV antibiotics straight away.
“I thought she would be kept in for a week or two. I was wrong. The neurosurgeon explained she would be in for at least 8 weeks, with weekly MRI scans to monitor her progress.
“We were told she more than likely caught a severe ear infection from the hot tub as the warm temperatures are breeding grounds for bacteria.”
She added: “When we thought it had cleared, the amoxicillin had just masked her symptoms for a few weeks as it wasn’t strong enough to kill this strain of bacteria.”
Ameilia battled the life-threatening infection for months, and thankfully, she has now made a full recovery.
“I just wanted to share this as it was the most frightening time of my life,” Jemma expressed. “Please, please be extra careful when treating your hot tubs/pools and make sure you do this as regularly as possible.”
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