Age 2 Blood Clot on the Brain Worst Day Ever!

Hi my name is Emma and I am the auntie of Zara and sister to Nicole (Zara’s mum).

Here is Zara’s age 2 years old and her story and how the events unravelled. Picture 1 is from a family wedding (3rd February) and picture 2 is 3 days later. Zara stopped eating and had a high temperature - doctors said she had a viral infection.

3 days later she was quite lethargic, not eating or drinking and was unable to stand and was taken to a&e. They said the same as the doctors she has a viral infection, ear infection and UTI. Was given 3 day's antibiotics.

No improvement and a further 7 day's antibiotics give from another doctors appointment. Still had a high temperature not eating or drinking. The doctors wasn't listening to mum

The 20th February took her to the hospital urgent care - they had no idea what was wrong! Sent us to the children's unit bloods done and white blood cell count high and infection markers extremely high. They said she had an infection in her blood and leg bones.

An emergency CT was booked and Zara was taken down at 1am and by 7am we were told she had a blood clot on the brain and will be transferred to Manchester by Ambulance. She had a pocket of bacteria behind her ear which was pushing the bone out. There Zara went down to surgery and was under for 4 1/2 hours. The wait was unimaginable were all anxious on edge. The wait was over she was out of surgery and the nurse said everything went well and diagnosed lemierre's syndrome.

The news we had been waiting for, everything went well. Zara was out of recovery on the ward her blood pressure was high but the first night went well. The doctor came the next day confirmed lemierre's syndrome and said it's going to be a long road for Zara's recovery - the blood clot could not be removed as it was a main artery. She is now on high doses of medication 4x daily by IV.

At this difficult time any financial help would be greatly appreciated. Nicole is staying with Zara in Manchester and we are supporting her as much as possible and helping look after Zara’s brother Oakley. We don't know how long Zara will be in hospital but will keep updating our fundraiser and posting pictures.

Thank you for taking the time to read Zara's story