Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=16197
25 Feb, 2010
Gisborne boy in Starship fighting unknown virus
FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE: William Hughes is under attack from an unknown virus as his parents wait anxiously for news. The Hughes? lives and businesses are on hold as Auckland?s Starship Hospital doctors try to determine what has struck down the five-year-old.
Jessica Wauchop
FiIVE-year-old Gisborne boy William Hughes is fighting for his life in Starship Hospital after contracting an unknown virus that is attacking his vital organs.
The rapid onset of the illness has thrown his parents Richard and Ruth Hughes into turmoil, and their businesses go unattended while they wait in Auckland for news of their sick son.
Doctors at the national children?s hospital are growing cultures to attempt to discover what has caused the illness.
Ormond School pupil William was sedated and on complete life support in the hospital?s intensive care unit this morning.
?We have no idea what is happening. We don?t know if he is going to make it because any of his organs could fail at any moment, and that is the really scary thing,? his mother said.
?All the doctors can do for the next few days is monitor him every second of the day, and
hope they find a culture that explains his
illness.
?William is on complete life support at the moment. The bug has affected his liver, kidneys and lungs, and his body is starting to shut down.?
William started to feel unwell on Friday at school, complaining of a sore stomach. By Saturday night he was taken to Gisborne Hospital emergency department. On Sunday he was flown to Starship.
The whole family went to Auckland with William, said Mrs Hughes.
?My husband won?t be home for at least another week. We are waiting to see if we get through the worst before anyone leaves here.
?We can?t think how to let people know why we are not getting back to them. Our garage, Prestige European Motors, has had to close for the moment and I cannot keep up with my
real estate work.
?We have grapes too and we are worried about losing our harvest which is due in three weeks
. . . which is not what we need to worry about right now.?
? Mr and Mrs Hughes thank everyone who has shown support this week.
25 Feb, 2010
Gisborne boy in Starship fighting unknown virus
FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE: William Hughes is under attack from an unknown virus as his parents wait anxiously for news. The Hughes? lives and businesses are on hold as Auckland?s Starship Hospital doctors try to determine what has struck down the five-year-old.
Jessica Wauchop
FiIVE-year-old Gisborne boy William Hughes is fighting for his life in Starship Hospital after contracting an unknown virus that is attacking his vital organs.
The rapid onset of the illness has thrown his parents Richard and Ruth Hughes into turmoil, and their businesses go unattended while they wait in Auckland for news of their sick son.
Doctors at the national children?s hospital are growing cultures to attempt to discover what has caused the illness.
Ormond School pupil William was sedated and on complete life support in the hospital?s intensive care unit this morning.
?We have no idea what is happening. We don?t know if he is going to make it because any of his organs could fail at any moment, and that is the really scary thing,? his mother said.
?All the doctors can do for the next few days is monitor him every second of the day, and
hope they find a culture that explains his
illness.
?William is on complete life support at the moment. The bug has affected his liver, kidneys and lungs, and his body is starting to shut down.?
William started to feel unwell on Friday at school, complaining of a sore stomach. By Saturday night he was taken to Gisborne Hospital emergency department. On Sunday he was flown to Starship.
The whole family went to Auckland with William, said Mrs Hughes.
?My husband won?t be home for at least another week. We are waiting to see if we get through the worst before anyone leaves here.
?We can?t think how to let people know why we are not getting back to them. Our garage, Prestige European Motors, has had to close for the moment and I cannot keep up with my
real estate work.
?We have grapes too and we are worried about losing our harvest which is due in three weeks
. . . which is not what we need to worry about right now.?
? Mr and Mrs Hughes thank everyone who has shown support this week.