A 13-year-old girl who started to vomit after complaining of a stomach ache ended up in a coma on life support. When Felicity-Jo Rowlett suffered nausea and pain, mum Natalie-Anne assumed it was simply a stomach bug.
But the pain became severe, so Natalie-Anne took her daughter to hospital where she spent the night. Then one month later the 13-year-old went into septic shock and ended up in intensive care.
She went into a coma and was put on life support. “It’s been the most difficult time of our lives,” said Natalie-Anne, a counselling student from Lancashire. “Everything has changed in an instant. She’s normally a loud, gregarious girl. Felicity-Jo enters a room – and you know about it.
View 6 ImagesFelicity-Jo Rowlett before she fell ill
“The silence of her being in the intensive care unit and intubated is deafening. Seeing her go from such a vibrant girl to total silence has been soul shattering. I feel like we’re stuck in a never-ending nightmare. My greatest fear is her losing her light before she can fulfil her potential.”
Felicity-Jo was initially diagnosed with gastroenteritis. She was advised to keep hydrated, and, as she had “perked up” a few hours later, a further scan was deemed no longer needed.
On March 15, however, the teen collapsed in pain. Natalie-Anne said: “She had wolfed down her dinner the night before. But then she woke up rolling around the floor and screaming. It was a total blur of shock and disbelief.”
View 6 ImagesFelicity-Jo Rowlett with her mum and sister
It was discovered upon arriving at hospital that she had been born with congenital scar tissue in her bowel. According to Guts UK charity, these adhesions are usually symptomless or cause mild discomfort – but in others, such as Felicity-Jo, it can be life-threatening.
The tissue had developed into a bowel obstruction, leading to an infection which developed into sepsis. She was resuscitated, placed into an induced coma and remained on life support for two weeks. When waking up, two emergency surgeries were carried out to remove the tissue, as well as part of her bowel.
View 6 ImagesFelicity-Jo on life-support
A stoma bag was fitted and blood thinners were prescribed after two blood clots were found. Natalie-Anne said: “I truly thought this was the end. It was terrifying. Seeing our girl in such a critical environment has been a parent’s worst nightmare.
“It’s a matter of taking everything minute-by-minute as her condition continually changes. The impact has been devastating for the entire family – especially for our eldest. It’s so hard having to explain why her sister is so poorly and why we’re miles away from home right now.
“But I refuse to leave Felicity-Jo’s bedside.”
View 6 ImagesFelicity-Jo Rowlett before
Due to being away from home and unable to work, the financial impact is hitting the family hard. To help, they’ve started a GoFundMe, with £1,422 raised out of £1,600. It’s hoped this will ensure stability and alleviate the “crushing weight” of bills when they return home.
Felicity-Jo went back into theatre last week for an emergency operation, where her bowel, of which she only has 85cm left, was found to be “matted” with three knots. Natalie-Anne added: “The lead surgeon, with 27 years of experience, said he had never seen anything like this before.
View 6 ImagesFelicity-Jo is recovering in hospital
“She’s currently back in intensive care, ventilated and sedated, while she battles another fungal infection. It’s hoped after removing the knots that her bowel can be closed up. It’s been a lot for her little body to take – but I know she’s in the best possible hands.
“And my feisty little girl won’t stop without putting up a fight.”