Hunter Peterson and his family on his long road to recovery

On Wednesday 24th July 2024, it was Hunter's 14th birthday.

Little did he and his family know that he would be spending the eve of his birthday undergoing brain surgery.

One week prior to Hunter's birthday he (while staying with his Dad and grandparents), Hunter presented at Kempsey hospital with his Grandmother due to suffering migraines and a fever. Hunter was diagnosed with a "viral infection" and sent home to rest. Later that night he was taken back to Kempsey hospital, this time by his Dad, with the same symptoms and was sent home again, with the same diagnosis.

On Saturday 20th July Hunter (who was now back home in his Mum's care), was in excruciating pain as migraines and fever were ongoing. Hunter became delirious and his Mum noticed that his lips were turning blue, so she immediately took him to Wauchope Hospital.

Hunter had a seizure in the car out the front of the hospital and once the team had him inside he was quickly assessed. Hunter vomited and had a temperature of 42 degrees so an ambulance was called to take him to Port Base hospital.

Once at Port Base Hospital Hunter underwent a CT scan, blood test and spinal tap and was soon diagnosed with Meningitis from sinusitis, and an abscess on his brain and one in his sinus cavity.

The medical team promptly commenced antibiotics.

At approximately 3am the following morning (Sunday 21st July) Hunter was flown to John Hunter Hospital where later the day he underwent surgery to drain the abscess in his sinus cavity. This was done in the hopes that it would give the abscess on his brain nothing to feed on and that with the help of antibiotics they would be able to avoid brain surgery.

Post sinus surgery Hunter recovered well, but he continued to suffer from headaches, including severe pain behind his eyes. As well as this, Hunter was having ongoing issues with his IV lines, including blockages and had to have the IV moved several times.

The team at John Hunter made the decision to insert a PICC line so that Hunter would not have the ongoing issues and pain from the IV. In order to insert the PICC line, Hunter would have to go under anesthetiser so he was then put on "nil by mouth". Unfortunately the procedure kept being pushed back so hunter was nil by mouth for over 36 hours. Naturally this took a severe emotional toll on our little mate, when he was already in a very delicate state.

Finally on Tuesday 23rd July ay 4pm, Hunter was taken to theatre for the PICC line procedure.

Unfortunately while in recovery Hunter took a a turn for the worse. He was barely responsive and had no movement on his left side. Hunter was sent for a brain scan which showed what appended to be inflammation of his brain. So, at 9.30pm Hunter was again taken for surgery.

A large piece of Hunter's skull was removed and the surgeon found a large amount of fluid on his brain. Hunter's brain was drained of excess fluid, and the decision was made to leave the skull open incase further treatment is required. The piece of skull was later tested and sadly had to be disposed of due to it being infected.

Hunter woke on his 14th Birthday with a large part of his skull removed, a drain in his skull and his right eye not opening due to nerve damage. The extent of the nerve damage is at the moment unknown, and only time will tell whether or not he will have use of that eyelid. Thankfully eye tests have shown that the eye itself is still in working order.

Hunter spent his birthday in ICU with his Mum (whom lovingly decorated his room), Dad and a visit from family who live near John Hunter Hospital.

Hunter has also undergone tests to try to find the type of infection, so that the correct antibiotics could be given to treat that particular type of infection. Thankfully since the results of the tests, Hunter has commenced the correct course of antibiotics and he is showing vast improvement.

Over the past 4 days Hunter has been spending a small amount of time each day sitting in a chair, for which he must wear a helmet, to protect the exposed area of brain, known as "a soft spot".

for the past 3 days Hunter has been working with a rehabilitation team, which includes a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, and Psychologist, in efforts to regain strength with walking, talking and every day tasks.

Hunter is showing great strength and resilience.

Hunter's younger siblings Ruby and Harvey have been seperate from their Mum, Dad and big brother since Hunter was flown to John Hunter, except for a short visit with them last weekend.

They are currently staying with their amazing Uncle's and have returned to school.

The Ronald McDonald house have been a saving grace for this beautiful family, providing food, accommodation and laundry services, for the duration of their stay at John Hunter Hospital.

Hunter's wonderful Mum, Selena, is self employed and will not be able to return to work for the foreseeable future.

Without Selena's fast acting, getting him to the hospital before his seizure, the outcome would have been far worse.

Hunter has a long recovery ahead of him. He will need to under go surgery to have a plate inserted where the skull has been removed. That surgery will not be possible for a minimum of 6 weeks which will be followed by an extended hospital stay and continued rehabilitation.

I would like to ask that if you are in a position to give even a small donation, please do so. Every dollar donated will help with ongoing costs of medical expenses as well as living expenses while Hunter and his family navigate what is undoubtedly the most difficult time in their lives.

Please also share this fundraiser, as every donation will help in ways you may not even be able to imagine.

Thank you.