Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei has described her boyfriend Jordan Brook's meningitis battle as 'the hardest thing' she has ever faced, in an emotional social media update. Jordan, 31, revealed on Saturday that he has been diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis, causing swelling on his brain.
In a video shared on Instagram, Jordan confirmed he is in hospital being monitored for seizures. 'I've been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body,' he said. 'I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together. That's the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it... So this isn't something small or minor.'
Jordan explained he has undergone CT scans, MRI scans, and lumbar punctures, and is receiving round-the-clock care including IV drips, antiviral medication, pain management, physiotherapy, and seizure monitoring. He noted that the swelling on his brain is getting worse, but vowed it 'won't beat him'.
Sophie, who is pregnant with the couple's first child, posted a series of images with Jordan and wrote: 'Watching the person I love in pain and fear, something I can't fight for them is the hardest thing I've ever known. And through all this I'm carrying the tiniest piece of us... life is still growing, still holding on.'
Jordan replied: 'My darling girl. I can't thank you enough for the strength to help me battle this. I will not give up on us.' According to the NHS, both meningitis and encephalitis are serious conditions that require urgent treatment and can cause permanent brain damage if not treated quickly.
