Schoolgirl struck down with rare meningitis left heartbroken after missing chance to see idol

Millie became unwell and days later when she was getting worse - not better she was taken to hospital.

21 Sep 2024, 03:30 by Katie Williams, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/katie-williams/ · Daily Record

A gutted Edinburgh schoolgirl has missed out on seeing her favourite artist in a dream concert after being struck down by deadly sepsis and hospitalised.

Millie Flower, 13, was admitted to St John's in West Lothian on September 8 but had plans to go and see the American singer Melanie Martinez later in the month.

Mum Alison Flower, 46, explained she had noticed her daughter was becoming unwell and days later when she was getting worse - not better she was taken to hospital where they discovered she had potentially lethal meningitis.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live Alison said: "You don't want to panic over a cold but two weeks ago on Wednesday, she was unwell and on Sunday, she just got so much worse and I took her to hospital.

"They said she had meningitis but the doctors don't know what's caused it, so it's something rare. Tests are getting sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"She had to have a feeding tube at the start because she couldn't keep any food down. Your muscles can waste away so quickly when you're ill. It would have been too risky to take her to the concert, her immune system is fragile now and I wouldn't want her catching anything else."

Alison continued: "Millie is a huge fan of Melanie Martinez. We were meant to see her at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Monday but two days ago I had to tell her that we wouldn't be able to go.

"Millie's walls are covered with posters, she has all of her vinyls, and her favourite songs to sing are Melanie's Cry Baby, Sippy Cup, and Carousel.

"The star is known for having blonde and black hair and Mille asked if she could dye hers the same, she really loves her. She had her concert outfit ready and everything."

Understandably the teen is heartbroken she can't go to the concert but is focussing on getting better.

Alison said: "She understands why we can't go, but there's a difference between understanding and how you feel.

"She was upset, really gutted. When you're ill, all you want is something to look forward to.

"Millie is out of hospital at night but every day she has to go back to get antivirals and antibiotics through an IV."

Schoolgirl struck down with rare meningitis left heartbroken after missing chance to see idol

Millie became unwell and days later when she was getting worse - not better she was taken to hospital.

Top news stories today