Bella was born in September 2005 and went home a healthy, bouncing baby girl. Three days later, Bella suddenly became ill.
Her mother, Melanie, thought that she’d picked up a virus but the local hospital in Northern New South Wales; decided she should go to a larger hospital.
“We arrived at Tweed Heads Hospital at nine o’clock in the evening,” Melanie recalled, “and by midnight we had been given the devastating news that our precious, tiny daughter had meningitis”.
In the hours that followed, they watched doctors put Bella on life support, administer antibiotics and arrange the retrieval team from the Mater Children’s Hospital to collect her.
“As we drove to Brisbane, we received a text message from the retrieval nurse at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). He told us that our darling Bella was doing just fine. We have never forgotten how touched we were by his kindness in sending that message.”
Bella spent three days in PICU, where she underwent further treatment. “At a terrifying time when our lives were turned upside down, it was reassuring to know that Bella was receiving exceptional one-on-one care around the clock.”
Once strong enough, Bella was transferred to the general ward but she developed complications from the meningitis, and was operated on a number of times by the Mater’s neurosurgical team.
“Although our experience at the Mater has been heart-wrenching and terrifying, it will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said Melanie.
As a result of the meningitis, Bella has mild cerebral palsy and some developmental delays. Despite these challenges, she embraces each day with an enthusiasm and energy that is inspiring.
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