After a Teen Was Sent Home from the Hospital with Stomach Bug Symptoms, She Ended Up in a Coma Fighting for Her Life a Month Later

**Teenager’s Near-Fatal Health Battle Highlights Dangers of Sepsis**

A mother from Lancashire has opened up about her daughter’s harrowing near-fatal experience that began with what appeared to be a minor stomach bug. Natalie-Anne Rowlett’s 13-year-old daughter, Felicity-Jo, spent two weeks in an induced coma after a sudden deterioration in her health exposed critical medical oversights.

Felicity-Jo, who hails from Nelson, was initially admitted to the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital in February after complaining of severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. Medical staff suspected gastroenteritis, an inflammation known to cause such symptoms, and discharged her the following day after administering fluids. “They said they thought it was a stomach bug going around,” Rowlett explained. Despite reassurances that her daughter seemed to improve, Rowlett felt something was amiss.

A month later, the situation took a dramatic turn for the worse when Felicity-Jo collapsed in pain while at home. “She woke up screaming in agony,” Rowlett recounted. Concerned, her family rushed her to Burnley General Teaching Hospital, where doctors discovered that she had been born with congenital scar tissue in her bowel, known as adhesions. This condition led to a life-threatening bowel obstruction followed by an infection and ultimately septic shock.

Rowlett described the painful moment when her daughter’s condition escalated: “It was really painful. I was terrified, my first instinct was, ‘Is she going to die?’ I had never seen anything like it.” Following emergency surgery, Felicity-Jo was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she was placed on life support.

For two weeks, Natalie’s family faced an agonising wait as Felicity-Jo fought for her life. Rowlett described the distressing experience of seeing her daughter, once so vibrant and full of energy, in a critical state. To raise funds to cover ongoing hospital costs, Rowlett set up a GoFundMe page. The emotional toll was immense, as she watched her daughter endure multiple surgical procedures, including a bowel resection, and subsequently being fitted with a stoma bag.

After weeks in intensive care, there was finally a glimmer of hope. Felicity-Jo made her first tentative steps after emerging from her coma—a moment that Rowlett described as an emotional milestone for the family. “We are so relieved to finally be out of PICU; being on the ward feels like a huge step forward,” she said. “Seeing her manage a smile after everything she has been through melted our hearts.”

While the family celebrates these small victories, Rowlett is keen to raise awareness about the symptoms of sepsis and the importance of seeking timely medical intervention. “Sepsis can develop so quickly, and I want others to be aware,” she said. Her message to parents is clear: trust your instincts if something feels wrong with your child, as they may present symptoms that are easily overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Health experts warn that timely treatment is critical in combating sepsis, a condition that can escalate rapidly and lead to severe complications. “I’m not a doctor, but I always felt something wasn’t right,” Rowlett emphasised. “We didn’t know about the scar tissue or the blockage, but as a parent, you instinctively know when your child isn’t well.”

As Felicity-Jo continues her recovery, the family is focused on the long road ahead, which includes stoma care and rehabilitation. “She still has a long way to go, but moving to the ward is a giant leap forward,” Rowlett shared.

While the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has not commented publicly on the case, the troubling experience of the Rowlett family serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of thorough medical evaluations and the dangers of dismissing concerning symptoms. As the nation contends with rising awareness around sepsis, the Rowletts’ story is a poignant call to action for vigilance in healthcare and parental intuition.