A DEVASTATED family said they will ‘never get over’ the sudden death of their seven-year-old after she went into shock.
John Boyd, 67, said his granddaughter Ruby Walker was a “fighter” and a “joyful” child and is urging others to check for the symptoms.
2
2
After Ruby underwent a double-lung transplant, she contracted an infection and died form septic shock.
Her grandfather, who served in the Royal Marines for 24 years, has since strived to spread awareness of infection and how to be aware of symptoms.
He said: “Sepsis is more common than people think, but so many don’t know the symptoms.
“It can take hold in hours. It took my granddaughter from us, and I want to help make people aware of it.
John has managed to raise £19,000 for the UK Sepsis Trust in Ruby’s memory.
On January 22 he handed over the check to the CEO of the charity, Sarah Hamilton-Fairley.
He said: “This charity is so important.
“Ruby had been through so much in her short life, and to lose her like that is something we’ll never get over.”
Seven-year-old Ruby, who was born with cystic fibrosis, has had to endure contestant visitors to the hospital and required oxygen from just six months old.
The youngster however was “determined” and “joyful” according to family.
“Ruby had a terrible start to life but she never gave up,” John added.
“By the time she was seven, her lungs were so damaged she was placed on the transplant list.
“She was running out of time, but Ruby being Ruby, she kept fighting.”
In March 2019, after her lungs collapsed the year before, Ruby received a lung transplant from a girl who had died from meningitis.
She fully recovered and could attend school without an oxygen tank and was described as “full of life and hope.”
However, during the following summer she was rushed back to hospital with sepsis.
Some of the symptoms include body swelling, fast heart rate, fever, confusion and hyperventilation.
John urges anyone who spots these symptoms to get to the hospital as Ruby went into septic shock “so quickly” they couldn’t save her.
Ruby tragically died on August 31 2019 and her family have strived to raise money for the UK Sepsis Trust ever since.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS