Mum's Harrowing Warning After Toddler's Sickness Bug Triggers Stroke
Amber Davidson, a 29-year-old mother from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, has issued an urgent warning to parents after her two-year-old son nearly died when a common sickness bug triggered a life-threatening stroke. Hudson Reid's ordeal began with what appeared to be a routine stomach virus, but rapidly escalated into a medical emergency that left doctors fighting for his life.
From Vomiting to Unconsciousness: A Mother's Nightmare
When Hudson started vomiting and couldn't keep fluids down, Amber initially assumed he had a typical childhood sickness bug. However, the situation took a terrifying turn when she noticed her toddler's arm was "stuck up", his legs were "shooting out straight", and he was making unusual noises. Acting on instinct, Amber rushed her son to hospital, where within minutes, five doctors were working to resuscitate him after he lost consciousness during the journey.
Despite initial CT scans showing no obvious problems, Hudson remained unconscious for five days. An MRI scan eventually revealed the shocking truth: a massive blood clot and bleed on his brain had triggered a stroke. The clot was caused by what neurologists described as "one in a billion" dehydration from his sickness bug, which thickened his blood to dangerous levels.
Defying Medical Predictions: A Miraculous Recovery
Hudson was immediately transferred to Glasgow Children's ICU, where he spent four weeks receiving intensive treatment including blood transfusions and blood thinners. Doctors warned Amber that her son would likely never "walk, talk or move again" due to the severity of the brain damage. Yet in a remarkable turn of events, Hudson was up and walking within a week of the prediction.
Now seven years old, Hudson attends school and lives what his mother describes as "pretty much a normal life", though the stroke has left lasting effects. He experiences frequent falls due to movement difficulties and has speech challenges, but Amber emphasizes that he doesn't let anything phase him. The self-employed beauty therapist calls her son "a complete miracle", noting that even doctors are "blown away" by his progress.
The Critical Importance of Awareness
Amber is now determined to raise awareness about strokes in young children, admitting she had no idea such events could occur in toddlers. "I think it's the stigma that strokes happen to older people," she explains. "Obviously there's a lot of awareness of strokes with the Face, Arms, Speech thing but I didn't think a two-year-old would be able to have a stroke."
She recalls how at the time, she questioned whether she was overreacting before taking Hudson to hospital, highlighting how parents might underestimate serious symptoms. "I had no awareness of how severe the situation was," Amber reflects. "It was only a few months after I thought 'that actually happened, Hudson actually went through that.'"
Ongoing Recovery and Medical Support
Hudson's recovery journey continues with comprehensive medical support:
- Occupational therapy every six months
- Monthly visits to a dietician
- Weekly speech and language therapy sessions
- Twice-yearly hospital check-ups
- Regular blood tests and heart scans
For six months after his hospital stay, Hudson required feeding through an NG tube because the stroke affected his oral movement. Amber notes that as Hudson grows, the effects of his brain damage are becoming more apparent compared to his peers' development, but the family takes each day as it comes.
"We're just taking it day by day to see how he's going to react," she says. "It's just a waiting game. He's such a sweet loving wee boy and has a heart of gold." Through sharing her family's experience, Amber hopes to ensure other parents recognize that strokes can affect children of any age and understand the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for unusual symptoms.
