Stories
Caleb was a fit and strong young boy so to see him deteriorate as quickly as he did as a result of meningococcal disease was utterly frightening. His symptoms were consistent with meningococcal from onset. Cal had been well until that day, so there was no warning. However as we have learnt more about the disease we now know that Caleb clearly displayed strong indications he was suffering meningococcal. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The 17 hours that unfolded could have had a totally different outcome had the right medical interventions initially occurred. As his parents we knew that something was not right with Cal, our gut instinct was telling us, we didn't act on that and achieve a second medical opinion until it was too late. Don't wait. If a you suspect someone may have meningococcal seek immediate help and suggest meningococcal disease to the Doctor treating them. It could save their life.
Tom was a university student and passionate guitar player when he contracted meningococcal septicemia on his 19th birthday – losing both arms and both legs, and spending one year in a rehabilitation hospital. Fiercely independent, he now lives in a unit and is continuing his studies.
SUE-ANNE & MICHAEL SANIG, WHO LOST THEIR SON, STEPHEN
Stephen was perfectly well at school that day, and full of energy when he arrived home. Later he put on a jumper and said he was cold. In fact, he was very hot. That evening his parents took him to the hospital with fever, rapid breathing and severe pain in his joints and chest – they thought he was having a heart attack. He was diagnosed with ‘gastro-enteritis and flu symptoms’. He deteriorated during the night and at 4am his parents rushed him back to the hospital – but he died at 8.40 am.
STEPHEN– AGED 7
Eliza also had meningococcal septicemia when she was a 16 year old student, losing her legs and some fingers. She later took up wheelchair sport, to become a multi- medal winning Paralympian champion, and speaks at functions to spread awareness of the disease.
Krystal became ill during start of the Easter school holidays and was diagnosed as having a bad flu. After a few days home in bed, doctors increased her flu medication but her condition deteriorated. There were never any development of spots on her skin, hence no visual signs of meningococcal.
She was taken to the Austin hospital by ambulance for what was expected to be a short stay to increase her fluids and monitor her condition.
A head scan revealed she had an aneurism and was rushed into surgery. This was to be the last time Krystle spoke to us as she was rushed into surgery.
During the operation, it was noticed she had something more serious, and surgeons could not complete the operation due to her brain continually swelling.
Tests were performed for meningococcal, with the results showing the worst news we could hear, our baby had a deadly strain of meningococcal.
Krystle remained in an induced coma for a further three days in hope that the drugs would beat the deadly disease, but her small body could not cope and she died in the arms of her family, never coming out of the coma. Born 12th December 1984, Krystle Teresa Gullace left this same world and the family that cherished her, far too prematurely on 8th April 1999 at the tender age of 14. She was just beginning to mature from a cute little baby, to a gorgeous little girl, to a young attractive little lady. She would light up any room she entered with her care, love and respect for others. Hence even from the skys above, our little angel Krystle is still touching and helping others, as she loved to do when she was with all of us.
Still after all these years of missing her, not one day has passed that we don't think of our sweet little princess Krystle.
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