15 December 2023 , 10:55
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A mother died of a brain injury days after experiencing a migraine - but the cause of her sudden condition remains unclear.
Jennifer Melvin, 35, took herself to A&E when she suffered the headaches and, after a doctor told her they felt she was dehydrated, the mum went home. The pain worsened, though, and medics found fluid on her brain after she returned to hospital.
She suffered a seizure and never regained consciousness at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, Teesside. Professionals have since been unable to find the cause of the acute hydrocephalus despite carrying out tests.
Lisa Ayre is pictured with her sister Jen (UGC Lisa Ayre)
Payton wanted people to wear rainbow colours at her mum's funeral (UGC Lisa Ayre)A coroner holding an inquest into Jen's death ruled she passed away of natural causes. The hearing was told the build up of fluid in Jen's ventricles led to brain swelling, an ischaemic cerebral injury, haemorrhagic cerebral infection and ultimately her tragic death in June, Teesside Live reports.
Clare Bailey, senior coroner for Teesside, told Jen's family: "Despite us instructing a [neurology consultant pathologist] he has been unable to get to the bottom of the reason why...he didn't find any non-natural reason for her passing." The coroner said the experts worked "very hard to try and obtain information as to the cause but sadly neither of the physicians in life or post mortem" were able to determine what started the "deadly inflammatory process".
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The inquest did hear, though, how no blood tests or scans were completed when Jen first visited A&E at James Cook University Hospital. Her vitals were good, the inquest was told.
A doctor told her she may be dehydrated and did suggest she stay for a saline drip but Jen decided against this and self discharged. Two days later she had to leave the dinner table on the evening because the pain was worsening. She enjoyed the day with family at a wedding although they did leave earlier.
Tributes poured in for the mother, who died in Teesside (UGC Lisa Ayre)Jen, born in Singapore, thought she may have a trapped nerve and booked in for a massage but it provided no relief. She headed back to A&E on June 3 where her condition deteriorated, the inquest heard.
The adored mum of one was sent for CT scans which showed excess fluid on her brain. Her family reported that she had a seizure to doctors the following morning and she was rushed in for surgery. In a heart-breaking statement, Jen's sister Lisa Ayres and her family said: "We believe we lost Jennifer when she had the seizure before the surgery."
Doctors found there was "extremely high pressure" on her brain and drains were placed in Jen's head but they later collapsed and stopped working. Tragically, Jen had suffered an irreparable brain injury which led to brain stem death.
Lisa has raised almost £3,000 in Jen's memory by completing the Great North Run for the charity 4 Louis which supported Jen's daughter following her mum's passing. You can view the fundraiser and donate in Jen's memory here.