Meningitis survivor reunited with team who saved his life
A patient has returned to Royal Derby Hospital to thank the team who saved his life after he contracted meningitis last year.
21-year-old Harrison Monk, from Mickleover, Derby, spent a month in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after falling ill with meningococcal septicaemia, a type of meningitis, in August 2019.
Harrison said: “I remember feeling freezing cold and violently shivering at some point in the early hours of the morning. I then got in the shower with it on full heat to try to warm up and started vomiting. I went back to bed to get some sleep and from then on, I can’t remember anything.”
Harrison’s sister, Ellamae, came home from a family funeral to find her brother semi-conscious on the bathroom floor with a purple rash on his face, arms and torso. After calling NHS 111, an ambulance arrived at the house almost immediately and Harrison was rushed to Royal Derby Hospital for treatment.
He was taken to ICU after being treated in A&E before his organs went into septic shock. Ellamae said: “Harrison is a healthy young man, but his heart was described as a carrier bag blowing in the wind, he could not breathe on his own, his kidneys and liver weren't functioning and his bone marrow had stopped producing platelets, and we didn't know the extent of his brain function.”
Meanwhile, Harrison’s parents were informed of his condition while on holiday in Annecy in South-East France - almost 800 miles away.
Stephen, Harrison’s dad, said: "It was a terrible shock when we were told that Harrison was very poorly as we had spoken to him only the previous day and he was absolutely fine. We immediately headed back home which took around 19 hours, constantly in touch with Ellamae and relations who were at the hospital keeping vigil."
Harrison said he remembers very little from his early days in ICU, but says the road to recovery has been tough: "When I first came out, I was too weak to do anything. Over the next few days, I pushed myself a bit as I didn't want to be sat doing nothing in my bed. It's been a long journey rebuilding myself physically, but I'm almost there now."
Nicky Hadfield, Senior Sister on ICU, said: “It's amazing to see how well Harrison's done since he left the unit. When he came here, he was really sick and had multi-organ failure, so to see him come through the doors today looking like a strapping young lad is amazing. It's an absolute credit to the whole ICU team and everyone who was associated with Harrison's care.
"Harrison's attitude and determination and the love and support from his family have helped him to get where he is. It's very satisfying and heart-warming to see him here today."
Tonya, Harrison’s mum, says that the family will be forever grateful to the team: “What a special place and what incredible guardian angels you all are. You all helped Harrison face each new challenge with your positivity and encouragement.
“We will be ever thankful and grateful to you all and we will always live every moment, laugh every day and love beyond words.”
Harrison added: "It's been lovely to see everyone again, they're like a second family to me. All of the care that they gave to me was just amazing."
On his return, Harrison presented the team in ICU with the Monthly Making a Difference Patient Hero Award for January.