Girl's Tummy Bug Ordeal Leads to Life-Threatening Condition

A family's ordeal began when 13-year-old Felicity-Jo Rowlett fell ill with what was initially thought to be a simple stomach bug in mid-February. Her condition rapidly deteriorated by mid-March, leading to her collapse and subsequent admission to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

There, doctors discovered Felicity-Jo was born with abdominal adhesions, scar tissue in her bowel. This condition caused a life-threatening blockage, leading to a fungal infection, sepsis, and septic shock. She underwent emergency surgeries, including the removal of a significant portion of her bowel, leaving her with only 85cm.

Further complications arose, requiring another emergency operation due to knots in her remaining bowel. This necessitated an ileostomy, a procedure to divert waste outside the body. The medical team's prognosis indicated that Felicity-Jo may not recover as hoped.

She has since been diagnosed with short bowel syndrome, a condition that will likely require her to use a feeding tube for the rest of her life. The long-term complications could also limit her lifespan. Her family has launched a GoFundMe, raising £1,700 so far to help cover her extensive medical needs and the financial impact of being unable to work.