Taylor Filby's Story

Meningitis and Sepsis.

I Sophia Avery went into Premature labour with Taylor at 36wks 4days. I hadn't been very well through out my pregnancy (Migraine's, blurred vision, sickness, Bad asthma and blood loss.) but I was always told everything seems to be ok.

13.08.2008 I phoned for a ambulance as I was living in Burnham on crouch. My contractions was very regular and I was wanting to push.
I was taken to St Johns Hospital in Chelmsford Essex .

Consultant decided to break my waters as my labour was being slow. And then left me over 15hours with waters open! I was failing to progress and then Taylor went into distress. They had to do a emergency c-section.

14.08.2008. 4.18pm
Taylor was born weighing 8lbs 6oz. me and Taylor's Dad Nick Filby was so Happy and Thankful the doctors had got Taylor out and safe. After they checked Taylor over they laid him next to me on my bed. Nick then went home to get new clothes and see Elle our Daughter.
Midwife came over and said can you hear that?
I said yes the baby noise his making. Midwife went and got another midwife. Two of them looked at Taylor and then said he was Intermittent GRUNTING and took him away from us to see a doctor. Taylor's GRUNTING developed into continuous GRUNTING. I went into panic and demanded to be with Taylor. Midwifes told me I had to wait over 4 hours so I could walk again. I refused and got upset. They got me a wheel chair after 1hour and took me down to neonatal ward.

My poor baby boy was puffed out all over his body with tubes everywhere! Arms, legs, hands, feet and belly button. Doctors told me to prepare for the worst they couldn't get Taylor stable. They told me to phone Nick or anyone for support. I did and Nick and his Mum came back up the hospital and see Taylor in the terrible state he was in. I was whispering to Taylor " keep fighting you can do this, hold on My baby I love you forever, Keep fighting my Fighter" after a little while Nick and his mum left. I waited to know Taylor was stable, Doctors got Taylor stable after 12 long hours, full of complete fear.
The antibiotics used was Gentamicin that helped get Tay stable and then went up to my room to try and sleep.

That was Day 1 and Taylor had 1day of High Dependancy (level 2) care. Until stable.

Then day 2 followed by Taylor receiving 2 days of Intensive (Level 1) care.

With then 9 days of Special (level 3) care.
Two Days of CPAP

I was unable to hold Taylor, but everyday I would hold his hand and talk to him. Until day 4 I then had my 1st big cuddle and tube fed him. Midwifes started letting me take over Tay's tube feeds that was an amazing feeling helping and watching my son start to recover.

On Day 3 17/08/2008
DR RN Mashesh-Babu consultant told me they needed to perform a LP / CSF
Consultant told me 10am results came back all clear. 10PM that night Consultant tells me there was a mix up at Broomfield hospital were the tests had been sent and Taylor tests have shown fluid on his spine. Raised Protein and reduced glucose. So consultant told me he is now treating Taylor for Meningitis. With Benzyl Penicillin.

Each day after we watched Taylor recover and on the 25/08/2008 they Discharged us home.

We are so very lucky Taylor survived with no physical damage, Tay is my Miracle child I am sooooo lucky to have Taylor.

By sharing Taylor's story I hope to spread awareness and help raise funds for this amazing charity. Meningitis Now are Fully supporting and helping Taylor in everyway they can. I am so grateful for all there help and support.

"Taylor's after affects"

Taylor has been diagnosed with BJHS, Raynauds & Asthma at 3yrs of age.
Taylor has also been diagnosed with ADHD, Special educational needs, sensory issues, social skills and sleep.

HUGE Thanks to Meningitis Now and Taylor's DR and Paediatrician/consultant and Heybridge Primary school, Taylor is now progressing in school and life, Tay has had a great confidence boost with extra one to one support in School. People taking a caring attitude helps Taylor a lot. 

People who are quick to judge or fail to understand or get frustrated with Taylor will struggle to have any kind of relationship with him.

Taylor is my Miracle every birthday Is a reminder of how amazing my son really is! And what he has survived. Taylor is going to be 8 this year and I'm helping him with his Birthday lists, Taylor enjoys making plans and having routine. So proud of Tay.

"Meningitis Now has given me very useful information from the website and staff. regarding my understanding of what my child has had and how it may/is affecting him now and in the future."

"The home visit I had really helped me understand a lot to, with so much information and support."

"As a family we are trying to raise awareness and donate funds to help Meningitis Now Charity and to say thank you to everyone at Meningitis Now for all what they do to help everyone."

Thankyou so much for taking the time to read Taylor Filbys Full Story.
If you can donate me and Taylor and family would be so very grateful as it will go straight to Meningitis Now Charity.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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