A family expressed their sorrow at misunderstanding their one-year-old’miracle boy’s’ symptoms for teething or a daycare illness, when he was actually suffering with bacterial meningitis.
When Michelle Murrell, age 40, picked up her one-year-old son Blake from daycare on July 28, she thought he appeared a bit under the weather.
She suspected that he had contracted a common virus, given his symptoms included fever and vomiting. Blake even seemed like he was bouncing back.
However, Blake’s condition worsened after 10 days, and on August 7 he was brought to the emergency department of Campbeltown Hospital in the city’s southwest.
The child’s condition deteriorated, resulting in brain swelling, and physicians swiftly approved his transfer to Sydney Children’s Hospital.
The next day, he was placed in an induced coma to offer his body a better chance of healing, but he never regained consciousness.
The family was advised that Blake’s brain swelling was too severe to treat, and the one-year-old passed away on August 16.
Michelle spoke with Daily Mail Australia about Blake, who she referred to as a “miracle” because he was conceived following many losses and failed IVF cycles.
Ms. Murrell stated that when Blake first became ill, he was also teething, leading her to suspect that his symptoms were caused by a mix of factors.
She noted that it never occurred to her that her son had bacterial meningitis.
She told Daily Mail Australia, “I initially noticed Blake was unwell when he developed a fever, but we were unconcerned because he brought home germs from daycare on a regular basis.”
‘He initially developed a fever, but he was also teething at the time, with three or four teeth erupting simultaneously.
Therefore, we were vigilant, and he experienced vomiting, fever, and other symptoms, but we were not particularly concerned.
Ms. Murrell stated that over the next ten days, Blake began to look and feel better before regressing.
She explained that she never felt the need to take her son to the hospital or for any other reason because he would be OK one moment and then suddenly become quite lethargic.
“Being a nurse, I simply kept him hydrated and managed his fever until I observed one night that he was holding his head strangely, which drew my attention.
I decided to bring him to the hospital because he appeared quite rigid.
Ms. Murrell stated that on August 7, doctors at Campbelltown Hospital attempted to increase his fluid levels.
She explained, “He had a fever at the time, and he was severely dehydrated despite our efforts to keep him hydrated.”
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Then, he began to exhibit seizure-like behavior, manifesting as twitching in his arm and leg.
‘They then had him undergo blood tests, and when they received the results, they could tell that he had a severe illness.
They treated him with four different medicines, and meningitis was probably in the back of their minds, but they never gave a definitive diagnosis at the time.
Blake was transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital and admitted to their intensive care unit the next day.
Ms. Murrell stated, “They gave him a breathing tube, drugged him, and put him under not because he was trying to breathe but because his brain was swollen.”
That day marked Blake’s final conscious moment.
Doctors formally diagnosed him with bacterial meningitis a few days later and informed Ms. Murrell that “there was nothing they could do.”
“They said the medications he had been taking had begun to combat the infection because they could see it, but due to the swelling in his brain, it was too much trauma and there is nothing we can do,” Ms. Murrell said.
“We were told that on Friday, so our other son and other family members came in to say what needed to be said.
From that point on, it was only a matter of when we were prepared to make the choice to discontinue his life support.
“We knew we would never be ready, but we didn’t want to prolong it, so after we all said what was necessary, we let him pass.”
Blake passed away on August 16, and while Michelle stated that the family was holding together, her second son, seven-year-old Lachlan, sought solace in Blake’s toys during the night.
Ms. Murrell remarked, “Lachlan performs well in school during the day, but he has difficulty at night.”
Over the past two weeks, he has begun coming in at night to cuddle his brother’s stuffed animals, specifically those belonging to Blake.
Ms. Murrell had five miscarriages before to becoming pregnant through IVF with the child she and her husband refer to as their “miracle kid.”
She stated, “He was our little miracle; he was conceived through IVF after many failed attempts.”
We call him our little miracle kid since we weren’t sure whether he would be born; it’s not fair. It is quite unfair.
Before having Blake, I had many miscarriages and attempted IVF five times. Lachlan was a natural birth, but I had multiple miscarriages and attempted IVF five times before having Blake.
Blake’s ashes have been restored to his family, which, according to Ms. Murrell, has brought them solace.
She stated, “It’s great to have Blake back home with us.”
“His ashes are in a small heart-shaped box in our bedroom; it’s like a remembrance box, a wonderful box with his belongings.
Ms. Murrell stated that the GoFundMe donations aided her and her family financially during the difficult time.
She stated, “I have not yet been allowed to return to work, and we could not have survived financially without the outpouring of sympathy and donations. We are extremely grateful for the care and support.”
We are attempting to go forward as best we can.
I am aware that I must return to work for financial reasons, but I have not yet been able to do so.
SIGNS OF MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN
SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN UNDER TWO
– High fever
– Constant crying
– Excessive sleepiness or irritability
– Difficulty waking from sleep
– Inactivity or sluggishness
– Not waking to eat
– Poor feeding
– Vomiting
– A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby’s head (fontanel)
– Stiffness in the body and neck
SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN OVER TWO
– Sudden high fever
– Stiff neck
– Severe headache that seems different from normal
– Headache with nausea or vomiting
– Confusion or difficulty concentrating
– Seizures
– Sleepiness or difficulty waking
– Sensitivity to light
– No appetite or thirst
– Skin rash