A Scots teenager who was rushed to a Spanish hospital when her ‘lungs filled with blood’ during a family holiday has flown back to Glasgow to continue her fight. Charlotte Meek from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ended up in an Alicante hospital ICU after violent coughing fits land bleeding in her lungs led to pneumonia and spent three weeks fighting for her life.
The 13-year-old has a genetic condition called SWAN (Syndrome without a name), which is so rare medics are unable to provide a diagnosis and causes underlying health issues. She remains on a ventilator but is stable enough to make the journey by air ambulance from Alicante home to Scotland on Wednesday January 29.
The family were taken to the airport by ambulance for a 2.15pm flight, set to land at Glasgow Airport and take them to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Mum Wendy, 52, and dad Stephen, 54, are relieved to be travelling home with their little fighter but are still preparing for a long road ahead to full recovery as Charlotte continues to fight the infection in her lungs.
Before the nerve-wracking journey, Stephen told the Record: “We are still extremely worried as she’s still on the ventilator and is still on three antibiotics for pneumonia in her lungs.
“We are all so proud of her that she is stable enough to fly home. We still have a long journey ahead but would like to thank everyone for all their love and support.
“The doctors in Alicante were unsure if the bleeding on the lungs and the pneumonia are linked at this stage. They only confirmed that the bleeding had stopped. A week later she developed pneumonia in her left lung.”
The family jetted off to Spain at the beginning of the year for the famous Kings’ Day parade on January 5, before tragedy struck the next day. Doctors were unable to determine the bleeding’s cause but warned the family it would be weeks before discussing transferring her home.
In September 2014 they also lost Charlotte’s big brother on a family trip to Florida. Justin, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder called Prader-Willi Syndrome, was struggling to breathe.
After rushing the 10-year-old to hospital, doctors discovered a blood clot in his stomach which required surgery. However, they were sadly unable to remove it and Justin passed away in an American hospital.
The family’s stressful few weeks will continue as Charlotte comes under the care of the Glasgow hospital. And the football fan got a lift in spirits from Scotland superstar John McGinn telling her how proud he is for being so brave.
Dad Stephen added: “John McGinn sent Charlotte a lovely message on Saturday night. Charlotte met him last summer before the Euros – she loves him, she has a picture of him in her bedroom and blows him a kiss every night.
“She’ll be doing her best to watch her hero later.” Aston Villa played Celtic on Wednesday night.
In the sweet clip to Charlotte, McGinn says: “We are all thinking of you.
“I know you have been through a tough time at the minute but you have been strong for your family like you always are. So keep being a trooper and get well soon.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.