Ever dismissed a headache as just being tired or run down? That’s exactly what 22-year-old drama student Lara Drew thought when she had a throbbing headache, chalking it up to freshers’ flu from late nights and busy days. But when the lights became unbearable and she didn’t recognise how poorly she felt, Lara was facing something far more serious.
What she believed was exhaustion from going out too much turned out to be meningitis—a life-threatening condition that had her 30 minutes from death. Lara’s parents rushed her to William Harvey Hospital after she began having severe seizures and was in excruciating pain. Doctors took immediate action, putting her into a medical coma and diagnosing her with streptococcal meningitis. They told her parents she was at risk of losing her legs and any delay could have proven fatal. Thankfully, expert intervention saved her life and limbs.
Lara reflected on her ordeal, saying how easy it would have been to dismiss her symptoms for just a bit longer. Imagine if her parents had hit traffic, or if they had thought of waiting it out for just another half an hour. The outcome could have been devastating.
After ten days in the hospital and intensive physiotherapy due to the loss of movement in her legs, Lara is back on her feet. She admits the journey wasn’t easy, likening her first steps post-recovery to Bambi on ice. She’s now using her experience to raise awareness about the symptoms of bacterial meningitis, stressing the importance of paying attention to your health and not underestimating troubling symptoms.
Remember, the NHS is always there. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and seek help immediately. Lara’s story is a powerful reminder that acting swiftly can be life-saving. Let’s look after ourselves and each other, because you never know when a life might depend on it.
Stay healthy and don’t take chances—your life is worth it! ❤️