Family's holiday nightmare as baby turns 'grey' from 'silent killer' condition

05 September 2023 , 07:43

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Tim and Rachel Millbank's son Elliot became seriously ill with pneumonia (Image: Tim Millbank)

The parents of a 10-week-old woke up to find him "grey and unresponsive" in bed, turning their family getaway into a horrifying ordeal.

Tim and Rachel Millbank from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, who were holidaying in Cromer, Norfolk, at the time, initially believed baby Elliot was suffering from a common cold. However, it turned out to be a potentially lethal case of pneumonia. In a race against time, they rushed their son to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

Tim, 34, said: "We knew something wasn't right. He was unresponsive, he was grey. We rushed him into the hospital and they whisked him out of my hands as soon as we walked through the door and took him straight to the emergency department, and the doctors jumped on him with needles. That was really scary."

Tim and Rachel initially thought Elliot had a common cold (Tim Millbank)

Tim is taking part in the Great North Run, Wigan 10K, and Warrington Running Festival (Tim Millbank)

Despite stabilising Elliot, the medical team informed the parents that their son wasn't out of danger yet. The antibiotics administered to him had no effect, and further tests revealed a shocking diagnosis - a rare form of MRSA and sepsis, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Elliot required specialist treatment and was placed in a morphine-induced coma before being transferred to the intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, over 190 miles away from home. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Tim said: "It was really hard. Looking back you wonder how you got through it, but you just do it because you have to. There were a few times we almost lost him."

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New parents Tim and Rachel were faced with the terrifying sight of their child, Elliot, critically ill and fighting off MRSA and sepsis. "It was incredibly scary to see Elliot that poorly and for the medical staff to be so concerned about his health. Seeing him intubated and in a coma was really difficult, especially as new parents," they shared.

Upon arriving in Cambridge, the couple found themselves in a state of uncertainty, unsure of how they would manage to stay with Elliot during this trying time. "Everything was up in the air and being so far away from home was making everything so much worse." With no option to stay with Elliot in the intensive care unit, the distraught parents feared they would have to resort to an expensive extended hotel stay. However, The Sick Children's Trust and its Acorn House 'home from home' scheme came to their rescue, providing them with free accommodation close to the hospital.

Grateful for the support received during their darkest hours, Tim has decided to give back by undertaking the challenge of running 100 miles throughout September. His ambitious plan includes participating in the Great North Run, Wigan 10K, and Warrington Running Festival, all to raise funds for other families in need. Reflecting on their experience, Tim said: "The Sick Children's Trust and Acorn House were an absolute godsend. The home from home gave us a place to stay just minutes from the hospital and a base to look after ourselves."

The parents shared their experience of staying at Acorn House, a 'Home from Home' provided by The Sick Children's Trust. They found solace in the company of other families who were navigating similar challenges. This support network proved invaluable during their difficult time. Elliot is now a thriving four-year-old with no lingering effects from his past ordeal. He's eagerly anticipating starting school and is described as a friendly, bubbly, and happy kid who knows his own mind.

Inspired by his newfound passion for running during lockdown, Elliot's father decided to challenge himself further. He aims to raise funds for The Sick Children's Trust as a token of gratitude for the support they received. The anticipation of seeing Rachel and Elliot at the finish line fuels his excitement for the upcoming Great North Run. The Sick Children's Trust operates ten 'homes from home', each costing the charity £40 per night to run. However, this cost is expected to escalate due to the looming cost of living crisis.

Connor Haley, the Community Fundraising Officer, expressed his delight at being able to support Tim and Rachel during their son Elliot's stay at Addenbrooke's Hospital. He said: "We're so pleased we could support Tim and Rachel so they could always be close to Elliot's side during his time at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Being so far away from home they faced many additional stresses and worries so we're glad that Acorn House made this difficult time that little bit easier. It's fantastic to know Elliot is doing so well now."

Connor also highlighted the crucial role of supporters and fundraisers in enabling the charity to continue its noble mission. He added: "As a charity we rely on the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers, like Tim, to make sure we can continue supporting families while their children are seriously ill in hospital. We cannot thank him enough for taking on this epic challenge to support our homes from home."

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to webhomepage@mirror.co.uk

Wesley Holmes