A Mothers Intuition

Added on: 29 October 2010

Sarah May is 14 years old and lives with her mum and dad and three siblings, Thomas 18, Adam 10 and Kathleen 8 in Camelford, Cornwall.  Tuesday 14th September started as any other day and Sarah went off to school.  On her return, she complained of a variety of flu-like symptom and explained to mum, Gaynor, that she had felt rough for most of the day.  She rested on the sofa, dosed up with paracetamol and even felt a little better after she had been sick during the evening. 

Tucked up in bed, Sarah slept until the early hours of Wednesday morning when her mum heard her crying having had a bad nightmare.  Gaynor discovered that Sarah had a high temperature and was clearly feverish and very wobbly on her feet.  Worrying her daughter might faint if left on her own, Gaynor accompanied her daughter to the bathroom and realised that Sarah was wearing a tampon.  Concerned immediately that Sarah displayed symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), Gaynor advised that the tampon was removed immediately and helped her daughter back to bed.  

As day broke on Wednesday 15th September, Gaynor went directly to the local Doctor’s surgery and requested an urgent appointment for Sarah.  As they sat in the waiting room, with Sarah’s head on her mother’s lap, Gaynor was aware that her daughter was really very sick.  Once in the consulting room with Dr Gibbons, Sarah underwent a number of tests – revealing that her blood pressure had dropped, her temperature was high and a check in her throat clearly identified that Sarah was fighting a serious infection. 

It was when Dr Gibbons lifted Sarah’s top, however, that the severity of the situation was realised.  Sarah had a sunburn-like rash all over her body which, when pressed with four fingers, left a distinct impression of white skin after the pressure was lifted.  With all the signs showing a possible case of meningitis, it was then all systems go: the Dr called for a nurse; they administered antibiotics and oxygen and the Air Ambulance was called as a matter of urgency.

It was a crew from Devon Air Ambulance, based at Umberleigh, North Devon, who were able to respond most quickly and they were despatched to transfer Sarah direct from the Surgery to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.  The paramedics on board, Paul Shaddick and Mark Hawley, monitored Sarah continuously throughout the flight;  a journey that took only 15 minutes by helicopter and would have taken one hour by road.  

Meanwhile, Gaynor telephoned Sarah’s father, Jon, and brother, Tom, who were able to meet the helicopter at the hospital, and Gaynor followed by police escort.  On arrival, Gaynor discovered that the medical team were treating her daughter for meningitis.  Hearing Gaynor’s suspicions, they explained that it would be the same treatment as for Toxic Shock Syndrome.  Further tests revealed that Sarah was indeed suffering from septicaemia, caused by Toxic Shock Syndrome, almost certainly the result of a tampon having been inadvertently left in for 24 hours.  Sarah’s life hung in the balance as she was given intravenous drips with antibiotics to prevent her internal organs from failing.  She remained in the High Dependency Unit for five days, with mum Gaynor by her bedside the whole time.  Doctors advised that if it hadn’t been for Gaynor’s vigilance and recognition of the need for urgent treatment, the outcome could have been very different.  A medical expert said at the time, “I know of so many young women who don’t have a mum as dedicated as Gaynor.  This message is SO important; I really do believe this story could save lives.”

Fortunately for the whole family, Sarah made a gradual recovery and has now even returned to school.  Both Gaynor and her daughter are now determined to raise awareness of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and how it can be prevented.  It is a very rare, life threatening condition, with only 40 cases being diagnosed in the UK each year, half of which are associated with the use of tampons.  As in Sarah’s case, the symptoms appear to be flu-like at the outset, with a rapid deterioration resulting in vomiting, headache, high temperature, dizziness, feeling faint and a rash.  Early diagnosis is crucial and, in most cases, patients will make a full recovery when treated early enough.

Gaynor explained, “I am a very vigilant mum.  Sarah was introduced to tampons just six months ago with all the guidance and information necessary; we had even discussed the dangers of Toxic Shock Syndrome.  This was just one occasion, however, when Sarah hadn’t changed her protection, explaining subsequently that she ‘hadn’t bothered because I was just too tired.’  When Sarah became ill, I was aware from her symptoms that it might be TSS and knew instinctively that Sarah needed urgent medical attention.  When we first arrived at the Doctor’s, it felt as if everything was happening in slow motion, but when Dr Gibbons realised the severity of the situation everything happened really quickly. 

"I cannot thank everyone enough – from Dr Gibbons, to the Devon Air Ambulance Crew and, of course, the hospital staff at Truro.  I dread to think what might have happened if Sarah hadn’t been transferred by Air Ambulance – Sarah still has the bear the crew gave her and has named it Paul, after Paul Shaddick, the paramedic!  We are now both on a mission to raise awareness of TSS and, in particular, to remind girls of the importance of changing tampons frequently.  The effects of TSS can happen so quickly, it’s imperative that people are more aware of the dangers.  It’s so rare that most doctors in the UK will never see a case – I am so glad I trusted my instincts as a mum, and we are all just so grateful to everyone that Sarah is now well.”

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