I was a dad to three big healthy boys, 21 yrs, 20 yrs, and 18, but I am now stuck in a nightmare as my youngest has just died.
He became ill with meningitis, and died of septicemia all in about 12 hours. The usual signs that you are supposed to look out for, ( and my wife and I have been aware of them since my eldest was born..neck ache,light hurting eyes,spots that don't go when you press a glass on them etc ) only began to appear 3 hours before he died.
Now we are preparing for his funeral, but things have slowed down as there is to be an inquest. I blamed myself for not getting the ambulance earlier, but my doctor said there was no way I could have known how serious it was. I was going through his room yesterday looking at his things, his clothes, his game controller on the floor where he left it. Picking up a few odds and ends I saw some old letters crumpled up in a corner. One of the letters ,about a year old, was from our surgery. When they grow up I thought it best to try and treat them like adults..give them any post that comes for them, and try not to be nosy, hoping they will tell you about anything important. It was a letter asking him to come and get his meningitis and septicemia vaccine, he must have ignored it.
I should have been nosy, or even thought about it myself, but my family have had a few problems lately, and things slip your mind.My doctor did ask if he had had the vaccine, and when we said we weren't sure she said it probably wouldn't have helped much anyway seeing how fast it took hold. So now I blame myself even more,which is why I have just joined Mumsnet, so I can perhaps make a few parents aware of just how terrible a thing like this can be, and maybe get as many of our kids vaccinated as we can.
One last thing, we have found a lot of support with Meningitis Now trust.
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A parents worst nightmare happened to me.
Crapgaz · 01/11/2015 22:00
I can't imagine how you must be feeling. I have mentioned your thread to people in RL today and none of us were aware of the boster injection for this age.
The memory stick and and CDs are such a touching thing to be able to pass on to Francis' friends, devasting for you all 
I'm so sorry Gaz 
Thank you for telling us about Francis. As a result I've just been on the phone to my ds (just started uni) to remind him to re-book his meningitis jab. He had to cancel his appointment as he had glandular fever and has never got round to rearranging it. I told my ds about your ds.
So sorry for your loss. I will make sure my teenager gets the vaccination - thank you for caring.
So very sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine what you all are going through.
Thank you for bringing the vaccination to our attention. I had no clue. As a direct result of your post on your wonderful son, I will ensure my three dc get the vaccination and I will explain about Francis' story.
It's so very brave and kind of you to consider others when this tragedy has happened to you and your family. Thanks for the advice and I am so sorry for your loss.
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