A 13-year-old girl from Lancashire, Felicity-Jo Rowlett, was placed in an induced coma and put on life support for two weeks after what initially seemed like a stomach ache turned into septic shock. Her mother, Natalie-Anne, a counselling student, said the family has been living a 'never-ending nightmare' since the ordeal began.
Felicity-Jo first complained of nausea and abdominal pain, which her mother assumed was a stomach bug. She was taken to hospital and initially diagnosed with gastroenteritis, but after seeming to improve, a further scan was deemed unnecessary. However, on March 15, she collapsed in severe pain and was rushed back to hospital.
Doctors discovered that Felicity-Jo had been born with congenital scar tissue in her bowel, which had developed into a bowel obstruction. This led to an infection that progressed to sepsis. She was resuscitated, placed into a coma, and remained on life support for two weeks. After waking, she underwent two emergency surgeries to remove the tissue and part of her bowel, and a stoma bag was fitted.
Last week, Felicity-Jo required another emergency operation after her bowel was found to be 'matted' with three knots. The lead surgeon, with 27 years of experience, said he had never seen anything like it. She is currently back in intensive care, ventilated and sedated, while battling a fungal infection.
The family has been struggling financially due to being away from home and unable to work. They have started a GoFundMe page, which has raised £1,422 of the £1,600 goal, to help cover bills and provide stability. Natalie-Anne described the experience as 'soul shattering' and said her daughter, normally a 'loud, gregarious girl,' is now fighting for her life.
