A DONATIONS page has been set up to provide financial support to the family of a 10-year-old girl from Meliden currently in a medically-induced coma.
Isabella Calvert developed sinusitis, a common infection of the sinuses, several weeks ago, but whereas for most people, it clears up within a few weeks at most, Isabella’s infection sadly spread to her brain.
She was admitted to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor on October 29, before being transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool that night.
Isabella, who also has autism and is a pupil at Ysgol Clawdd Offa, is now suffering from meningoencephalitis, which causes swelling of the brain.
Michael and Sarah, Isabella’s parents who run North Wales Foot Care together, said that twice in the last 10 days, they feared that they were about to lose Isabella.
A fundraiser has been set up on GoFundMe by their close friend, Kim Winter, to try to ease some of the family’s financial strains.
To donate, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/sarah-and-michael-calvert.
Michael said: “She was still going to school (with sinusitis), taking a little bit of Calpol, but the infection from her sinuses has made its way up to her brain.
“She’s had four operations since; one on her sinuses and three to relieve pressure on her brain. Big parts of her skull have been removed and placed in her abdomen to keep them safe, ready for when they can eventually re-attach them, which is crazy.
“We don’t know (if she will survive). Twice, we’ve thought she was going to die.”
Sarah added: “We didn’t actually know it was sinusitis, because she was saying she had a headache.
“They’ve taken her off all of the sedation now, but some of it takes several days to get out of the system, so any day now, we should be experiencing some kind of ‘waking-up’, and that’s when we’re going to know what we’re looking at.
“There’s obviously going to be damage from the infections, so at that point, we’ll have a better idea… at the moment, she’s not showing any signs of regaining consciousness.”
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The couple also have a five-year-old son, Luca, who is with his grandmother, while Michael and Sarah stay at Ronald McDonald House; “home from home” accommodation situated next to Alder Hey.
They both added their gratitude for the help and support shown from members of staff at both hospitals, as well as from friends, customers, community members and well-wishers.
Sarah said: “She hasn’t had a MRI scan yet. They’d like to do one, and if they did a MRI, they’d know a bit more about the extent of the damage.
“But for a MRI, they’ve got to lie her flat and move her, and at the moment, they haven’t felt like she’s up to that. They might do this week, if she’s stable enough.
“We just wanted to say ‘thank you’, as well. We’ve had so many people, locals and customers, being so kind and supportive. We’re really grateful for all of that.
“We’ve had so much help in the way of people sending food, toiletries; very practical support. The hotel is incredible; they’ve been amazing.
“We started off taking one day at a time, and now, we’re trying to take half an hour at a time.”
Michael added: “It changes so quickly. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, and have had a lot of support from our congregation, and other congregations from round here.
“We’re at the point now where there isn’t much we can do, but hopefully, when they bring her round and if she reacts, we’re going to be busy, because there’ll be a lot of damage done, and a lot of rehab.
“We don’t know how long (the damage will last); even the doctors can’t really tell yet.”
In a post on the GoFundMe page, Kim wrote: “I am setting up this fundraising to try and ease some of the financial pressures Sarah and Mike will face in the coming months.
“Bella is very sick, and Sarah and Mike need to be by her bedside, holding her hand and not worrying about paying the mortgage.
“Sarah and Mike have been regularly providing updates on Bella's condition on Facebook, to the point where we are all in it together.
“Please help me to support them as best we can through this difficult time.”
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