Mum's praise for Alex after family's life-changing week

Buy photos » Billy and Freddy. Picture by Nick Hands 0612013NHR

A BROMSGROVE mum has praised the Alexandra Hospital after staff saved her son’s life and delivered her newborn baby safely in the space of a week.

It all began on January 4 when Lucy Millership’s two-year-old son Billy started shivering, being sick and suffering several flu-like symptoms, including severe back and neck pain. That, coupled with him being unable to walk and developing a purple rash, prompted an NHS Direct operator to send an ambulance straight away.

He was rushed to the Alex, where doctors confirmed he had the life-threatening meningococcal septicaemia meningitis.

But, after four days on the hospital’s Kingfisher Ward, and thanks to the care he received, he was allowed back home, in time for his third birthday on January 11.

Then, just seven days after Billy had gone into the Alex, Lucy, who was 39 weeks pregnant, was admitted to the same hospital after her waters broke while she was in Bromsgrove’s Asda.

Lucy, who understandably had not wanted to leave Billy’s side, had only popped to the supermarket to get her son a birthday card. And, baby Freddy, weighing 8lb 3ozs, was born later that day, on his brother’s birthday.

Mrs Millership, who also has a five-year-old daughter, Daisymay, said: “I have never felt so many emotions in such a short space of time.

“Billy’s illness was literally the most frightening time of mine and my husband’s life. But the staff on the Kingfisher ward were so supportive, compassionate and just completely faultless.

“I want to say one enormous, massive thank you to all who helped our family that week.

“From the staff on the Kingfisher ward who helped Billy, to the midwives who helped me to deliver Freddy.

“The staff in the maternity outpatient unit were amazing too. We are also really grateful for the support we received from our family and friends.”

The family say January 11 2030 could be interesting as it will be Billy’s 21st birthday and Freddy’s 18th.