Growing Pains: A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
The love story between Aimee and her new husband Craig was perfect in every way. And the honeymoon had just begun. But soon their lives turned into a nightmare. It all started when Aimee’s daughter Brogan began to develop black and blue bruises on her body.
When Aimee and Craig got married, it quickly became clear that Aimee’s 7-year-old daughter Brogan would be the flower girl. But 14 days after her mom and dad got married, Brogan was in the hospital, fighting for her life.
“Bruises”
At first glance, everyone thought Brogan’s “bruises” were just typical for a child, from playing and falling. Even doctors didn’t take them seriously. But when the bruises began to spread all over Brogan’s body, Aimee knew there had to be something more. So she took Brogan to the hospital and this time the doctors quickly realized the cause.
Brogan began showing signs of meningitis and was immediately transferred to a specialized children’s hospital in Birmingham, England. Meningococcal meningitis can be life-threatening and since Brogan was treated late, there was nothing the doctors could do.
Amputation of Foot
To save Brogan’s life, the doctors had to amputate Brogan’s left foot. “This week completely changed my outlook on life. It showed me what really matters, and who is there for you and who is not,” Brogan’s mother Aimee told The Daily Mail.
The doctors succeeded in amputating Brogan’s left leg and helped her walk again with the help of a prosthesis. After discovering that Brogan’s leg was also becoming a threat to her life, parents and doctors agreed to amputate the leg as well.
Even though she was in excruciating pain, Brogan was ready for what was to come. Luckily, she had a lot of support from her family and friends.
“Nothing can prepare you for what meningitis does to your body, let alone a 7-year-old girl,” said Lisa Reece, cousin of Brogan’s mother. Two years passed and Brogan began to adapt better and better to her prosthesis. She faced many obstacles in her life but has an enthusiasm and fighting spirit that many can learn from.
There was never a guarantee that the infection would completely clear, yet Brogan was ready to face life and whatever would come her way.
However, the family sadly announced in early 2018 that Brogan would also have to have her other leg amputated. Brogan was devastated when she learned this, but now she wants to go all in and start physical therapy as soon as possible. Mother Aimee wants to remind other parents to always pay attention to strange changes in and on their child’s body. This way, they can recognize symptoms in time and prevent them from going through the same hell as Brogan.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of meningitis are headaches and neck stiffness, as well as fever, confusion, or disorientation. Also, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are symptoms. Keep in mind that children may also exhibit symptoms such as irritability and sleepiness. Skin rash can also be a sign. Meningococcal meningitis can also manifest with bleeding skin and/or rash.
