By Cat Haxby
Lead LCK Representative for The Isle of Man
20th November 2021
My name is Cat and I have an 8 year old daughter, Gabi, who has had long Covid since March 2021.
To join forces with #LongCovidKids is very exciting for me, my daughter and the Isle of Man. To help support families and children who are experiencing what we are going through is my goal.
As a mother of 4 children I was searching endlessly for information on Long Covid Symptoms, after our youngest daughter, Gabi had been displaying symptoms since contracting COVID in March 2021. Gabi, who is the most bubbliest, chatty, little ray of sunshine in our lives started with a cough back in March. My heart sank; I had a feeling it was the start of Covid as there were a few cases in her local primary school. The next day she had a slight temperature and that was when I didn’t delay in ringing 111 to book her in for PCR test. Later that evening we received an email confirming she was Positive for COVID19. We had no idea of the journey we were about to be sent on.
Gabi never fully recovered from Covid and was complaining of pains in her chest, which continue to this day. Over the past few months she has been through the mill.
In June I took her to the GP as she was in severe pain with her stomach. They couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary and was sent home. The doctor was lovely though and did want to follow up on us. That evening at bedtime she collapsed on the floor and had no use of her legs, but she was fully conscious. We quickly took her to A&E and later she was admitted into Children’s Ward. Gabi had numerous tests done and all were clear. Doctors were baffled by her. There were was a mention of Long Covid from the Paediatrician and we were sent home the following day.
In September Gabi developed Shingles, which led to a secondary infection. The pain she was in was unbelievable and my heart broke. I asked on Long Covid Kids Support Group if anyone else had experienced this with Long Covid, to find there was. After a course of Anti-virals and 12 days of antibiotics, she started recovering. Still to this day she gets random sores on her body.
Earlier in November I tried endlessly to get an appointment at the GP’s as the pains in Gabi’s chest were becoming more frequent and she was also presenting with shortness of breath with any physical activity. The earliest I could get an appointment was 2 weeks later; I took it.
A couple of days passed and Gabi woke up really upset at 4am with pains in her chest again. I managed to settle her back her off to sleep, and that morning took her to A&E. We were seen by a young doctor and what seemed to be a more senior doctor. They ran a quick ECG, blood tests and a chest x-ray, all to show everything was how it should be. The doctor explained it was Postherpetic Neuralgia from the shingles. My question was, "how do you explain the pains in her chest from March till now?" We were sent home with a tube of local anaesthetic cream and told to get a follow up.
I have since then gone back to the GP and requested a referral to a paediatrician as it’s not normal to for a child or anyone to experiencing chest pain constantly for months on end. Thankfully, they agreed and we have now received a letter for December.
This brings me to explain why I got in contact with Sammie McFarland, founder of Long Covid Kids.
After seeing Gabi struggle for months, I wanted to see if there were any other families on the Isle of Man whose children were presenting any symptoms of Long Covid, and also to offer any help I could to other families and to listen to their story. I decided to contact Sammie asking if I could use some of their information on a private group I was creating. After a video call with Sammie, I have taken on the role for Lead Representative for the Isle of Man. I wanted to reach out to families and also support Long Covid Kids Charity. I joined the team on Monday 15th November!
A friend of mine, Beth was willing to help me with the anything I was doing, as her daughter, who is best friends with Gabi has Long Covid symptoms too. I have now recruited her through Sammie to help me on our journey. Beth is equally passionate about supporting families of Long Covid Kids as I am.
Within two days of the launch of @LCKIsleofman, a journalist from one of our local radio stations, Manx Radio, contacted me. They were interested in what I was doing for the Island, and asked would I be interested in a news package. Of course I jumped to the chance, as this was a massive step and very quickly too.
Myself, Beth, our two girls and Gabi’s twin brother Xander, went along to Manx Radio studio. The girls were so excited, whereas myself and Beth were bags of pure nerves! We talked about why we have joined Long Covid Kids and what changes we are hoping for. The journalist let our girls have a little talk too - they were pros!!
Gabi summed up what I think every child would agree, "COVID SUCKS!"
It was an amazing opportunity for us and our daughters to finally raise awareness of Long Covid in children, and to reach out to people who maybe experiencing similar symptoms.
Our Long Covid journey continues, but now under the wing and support of Long Covid Kids!
LongCovidKids.org is a UK based international charity supporting and advocating for families, children and young people living with Long Covid. Our story started with a short film on the long-lasting symptoms of Covid in children.
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