This year, we are wholeheartedly rallying behind...

 Angel was put through many unnecessary tests around September 2023, only for them to misdiagnose her in the beginning. And when I say unnecessary tests, let me explain, never mind the medical neglect from the first hospital... 

She was complaining about bad HEADACHES, to the point that the pain would make her vomit and  lose her eyesight. The first time we were sent home from the ER and told it was just migraines and  nothing to worry about, despite the fact this was about our 2nd visit at this stage and her eyesight was  a problem but again, we were given meds and sent on our way! 

3 days later we were back with the same problem but this time they wanted to do a Lumbar  puncture... After doing the Lumbar puncture they told us they had no beds sent us home and told us  to come back in the morning. (We had no idea that medically after an LP you aren't meant to be sent  home/walking around, as you can leak spinal fluid) 

We returned in the morning to the ER, to be told that my daughter's results came back showing  TRACES of Meningitis. So, they immediately started putting an IV into my daughter and said she would  need very toxic meds for 5 days given by IV along with a drip etc... After an hour I said to the DR if it is  only showing traces then surely this means it is not meningitis but something similar??? I was  immediately shut down and told they knew what they were doing! 

My daughter was then taken for a  CHEST CT, too which I also questioned as the problem was in her head, but I was shut down again. 12  hours later my daughter was looking terrible, and we both felt something was not right, but the DR  wouldn't listen as "they knew best". When it came to taking my daughter to the ward away from the ER  she went into a flat-out panic. The DR would not listen to us, so we left to go home as we didn't know  what else to do at that stage. 

The next day my daughter was worse, but I refused to take her back to the very hospital that was not  listening and doing medical tests on her chest that weren't necessary. So, we went to another  hospital and asked for help! 

My daughter was so bad when we got there that they immediately took her straight to the RESUS  ROOM (terrifying moment as a mom to watch this) and put on machines and drips to monitor her and  make sure she didn't go into a coma. The DR agreed with me and said he also felt strongly that it was  not meningitis as it only showed traces which should have made the other DR do a HEAD CT, not a  chest one, which also confused this DR on why that was even done! 

Within 20 minutes of the head CT, they found a tumour. They then ordered an MRI for a better view,  got hold of the head of neurology, and ordered further blood work. Within 24 hours my daughter had  around 9 DR from Neurology and Endocrine and was admitted to HIGH CARE. (ICU) Where the tumour was situated was the reason for the eyesight loss, they were working on shrinking it  to get her eyesight back at this stage. 

However, there was permanent damage done to her pituitary  gland, due to the tumour... My daughter has lost the use of her ADRENAL GLAND. Has damage to her KIDNEYS,  Can't have children due to the damage, and has DIABETES INSIPIDUS. (Didn't even know there was  diabetes like this) I will never know if this permanent damage is due to the medication they gave to  treat Meningitis which she never had, or if too much time was wasted on doing the wrong tests, or if it  is just due to the tumour all on its own! 

She has meds at 6 am, 8 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm every day. All I do know is she will be on medication for the rest of her life with a high chance of getting Diabetes  2 and Cushing disease, kidney failure and we are to watch out for seizures. We were told that if she  starts vomiting and can't take her daily meds, we are to immediately bring her to the ER and have her  admitted as her body can't function without the meds and would need them to be given via IV and to  always wear a medical bracelet. 

When my daughter was rushed back to the ER in March 2024, they did another scan to see how the  tumour looked. As my daughter's eyesight was becoming a problem again and she was vomiting due  to pain in her head. At this appointment, we learned that my daughter's tumour had grown and now  has a cyst on it too. 

As of July 2024, we have been back to the ER twice and had 4 appointments with different DRs on her  team. However, they told us they would not operate until her eyesight is gone again, as then it is seen  as urgent, but can't guarantee her eyesight will return after the surgery. In the meantime, she must sit in pain every day due to the tumour, watch as her eyesight becomes  worse, keep becoming all swollen that it hurts and we can't always get the swelling down quickly  enough, her ears are blocked due to the pressure in her head so at times can't hear us properly or  balance is off and due to all the above can't sleep and ends up going to bed at 3 am every day and  waking up early due to the pressure. 

Everyone knows that we need sleep as it is dangerous when we  don't get enough...now imagine not getting enough and you have a tumour! I have spoken to 2 top Neurosurgeons and they both are horrified at the fact this hospital is more  worried about "resources" and would rather wait for the 22-year-old to lose her eyesight again and sit  in so much pain daily than operate or find a better solution, than watching her deteriorate even  further. And the fact a cyst is now on the tumour and have not acted against that. 

Since around  March, they have not taken blood or another scan...they just keep giving the meds and that is it! The private Neurosurgeon that we spoke to is willing to take her case but unfortunately, it will mean  paying all upfront, and because he is one of the best, it does not come cheap.  

UPDATE: On Friday (6th September 2024) Angel was rushed to the ER again and immediately taken to the  RESUS room, the DR's had to try go in the neck (Carotid artery) and when it was unsuccessful they went  through her private part/groan ( Femoral artery) to stop her from going into a coma/organ shut down to  place tubes😞to administer fluids and drugs...She has been taken to ICU (high care) and is waiting for  Neuro + Neurosurgeon + Endocrine to decide a way forward. 

UPDATE: Angel was released from the hospital a week later (Friday 13th September 2024) back into her  mom’s care. She has been put on more meds and is to be monitored until her next appointment only in  December 2024. In short, they still won’t operate to remove the tumour or try any other treatment other  than monitor the tumour and how Angel is with the meds. 

UPDATE ON ANGEL: 30 October 2024 - Angel was diagnosed with Addison's Crisis in addition to her other  health issues. 🥺 She is scheduled for her next MRI on 29 November 2024, followed by a doctor’s  appointment on 5 December 2024. (WHAT IS ADDISON’S CRISIS: Addisonian crisis, also known as  adrenal crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency, is an endocrinologic emergency with a high mortality rate  secondary to physiologic derangements from an acute deficiency of the adrenal hormone cortisol,  requiring immediate recognition and treatment to avoid death.)