Maggi Pivovar
I came to know the term meningococcal meningitis in a personal way in April, 2007. The night before I came ill, I spent the evening at the park with John and the boys. I woke up the next day with what I believed to be the flu. About 16 hours later, I woke up and noticed my legs felt freezing cold below my knees. I began trying a series of things to try and warm them up, taking a bath, passing out a few times while trying to find a hot water bottle. After a few hours, I woke my husband up, who was shocked to see a purplish rash on my body. I began to have trouble seeing him, and he immediately took my to the ER. I never had the typical stiff neck associated with meningitis. Despite being a health professional myself, I was so confused, and did not recognize that I was in danger of death. I was nearly dead when I arrived at the ER, due to septicemia and was given a 2% chance at survival. I woke up 3 weeks later, and shortly after, was blessed to become a double below knee amputee.
I came to know the term meningococcal meningitis in a personal way in April, 2007. The night before I came ill, I spent the evening at the park with John and the boys. I woke up the next day with what I believed to be the flu. About 16 hours later, I woke up and noticed my legs felt freezing cold below my knees. I began trying a series of things to try and warm them up, taking a bath, passing out a few times while trying to find a hot water bottle. After a few hours, I woke my husband up, who was shocked to see a purplish rash on my body. I began to have trouble seeing him, and he immediately took my to the ER. I never had the typical stiff neck associated with meningitis. Despite being a health professional myself, I was so confused, and did not recognize that I was in danger of death. I was nearly dead when I arrived at the ER, due to septicemia and was given a 2% chance at survival. I woke up 3 weeks later, and shortly after, was blessed to become a double below knee amputee.
At age 37, a mother of 4 young boys (at the time ages 11, 9, 4,
and 18 mos), I was at a higher risk of contracting this deadly
disease as I had had my spleen removed 10 years before. I never
knew I was at risk and needed the vaccine.
Married to John for 14 years. I am from the KC area.
Occupational therapist. Children:
Mitchell, 13, Blase, 11, Ben 7 and Grant 3
I have suffered other after effects such as anxiety, depression,
and have had difficulty with memory and certain loud noises. 2
years later, I am doing really great. I can take care of my
family independently. I am cooking again, exercising, and
trying to become as active as I was before. I am blessed to be
a survivor and want to help educate the public about all types
of meningitis. That is what God left me here to do and share my
message of miracles, and hope with the world.