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Meningitis victim's praise for medics
SHE was "97 per cent dead" when she arrived at South Tyneside District Hospital – but survived.
And today, meningitis victim Vivienne Bell, who lost her legs as well as her fingers and thumbs, praised staff at the hospital where she was in a coma for nine weeks.
"They saved my life, I wouldn't be here without them. I just can't thank them enough," she said.
Almost two years after the nightmare which almost killed her, the 58-year-old is looking to the future after overcoming amazing odds to beat the disease twice.
In her 30s, Vivienne suffered viral meningitis, which was treated with antibiotics.
But in the cruellest twist of fate, she contracted the disease again – something doctors said was a one-in-four-million chance.
Vivienne had gone to bed at her home in Washington suffering from what she thought were typical symptoms of flu – a sore throat, migraines and generally feeling unwell.
By 3am the next day, she was in South Tyneside District Hospital in an induced coma as medics worked tirelessly to diagnose and treat her.
Vivienne said: "I remember them telling me I was 97 per cent dead. The week before I had a sore throat, headaches and was fatigued. I went to bed and when I woke up, I knew instantly what was wrong."
Her husband Richard, 63, a former chef to Prince Charles, said: "The doctors took me to one side and said they were going to bombard her with drugs and that it was touch and go.
"I stayed by her bedside and watched a dramatic change in her appearance.
"The purple rash had turned to black and it was everywhere, on her face, her hands, her feet. It was like someone had poured ink on her."
Despite a series of setbacks, Vivienne responded to the drugs, and after nine weeks was brought out of the coma at South Tyneside District Hospital, much to the relief of Richard and their children Jayne, 38, Richard, 34, and Sarah, 27.
But the joy was met with the life-altering news she'd lose her legs to the disease – leaving her wheelchair-bound – and the digits from her hands.
Finally, she was allowed home at Christmas 2008, and says: "I never cried from the moment I went into hospital until I came out – but once I started, I couldn't stop."
Now she is learning to use prosthetic legs during regular rehabilitation sessions at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.
Vivienne said: "It has been hard for our family and it took a lot to get to this point, but we are better than we were, and to reach tomorrow will be even better."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
