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Pregnant Sophie Kasaei’s boyfriend Jordan Brook revealed his body feels ‘battered and bruised’ and he’s ‘fighting a mental battle’ as he gave a health update amid his viral meningitis and encephalitis battle on Sunday.
The TOWIE star, 31, took to Instagram to share a series of photos of himself and his bruised body as he gave his followers an update on his condition while he remains in hospital.
He said: ‘Hospital update. Sadly after turning a bit of a corner on Friday I feel I have reached a plateau in hospital.
‘Canulas are failing to stick I have had over 30 fitted. My body feels battered and bruised and is struggling to accept my anti viral medication.
‘I am tired, Exhausted and feel like I have gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Still suffering with pressure on the frontal lobes of my brain.
‘Really fighting a mental battle at the moment. Thank you to everyone for you continued support I could really do with some positivity. I will not let this win! JB.’
The health update comes after Jordan revealed he is ‘weak and unable to walk’ as he posed in a wheelchair with pregnant girlfriend Sophie Kasaei on Instagram earlier this week.
The TOWIE star revealed earlier this month that he had been diagnosed with a viral form of meningitis, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining. This is a different type of meningitis to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis B in Kent.
Jordan, who has been in the hospital for two weeks, has also been diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare, serious, and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain.
And in a recent update, Jordan revealed he is unable to walk due to his ‘entire body’ being ‘super weak’ and explained that he has a ‘long way to go’ in his recovery.
He penned: ‘Lord give me strength. Get me home to my Boy. 5mins of fresh air off the ward this morning with my everything.
‘Still not got the strength to walk and am super weak all over my entire body.
‘Thank you for holding me up all the way through this Sophie Kasaei. Still a long way to go in this battle but we are getting there.’
Jordan and his girlfriend Sophie are currently expecting their first child together, a baby boy. She revealed earlier this week that she is seven months along.
Last Wednesday, Sophie said it’s been the ‘worst month of our lives’ as she gave a health update on boyfriend Jordan.
Sophie opened up about the ‘scary time’ as Jordan suffers ‘seizures’ from the side-effects of meningitis and encephalitis.
She wrote: ‘Popped back home for a little rest after being at the hospital with my darling all day. Still such a scary time but everyday Jord shows strength that we won’t let this awful condition beat him.
‘Our baby keeps him going more than ever. He keeps us all going.’
‘He has viral meningitis as well as encephalitis (not the meningitis we are seeing on the news that is bacteria not viral) the encephalitis is what we are dealing with now and the affects that gives.
‘Anyone who has ever witnessed a love one with viral encephalitis and menintitis can understand how scary it can be.
‘Seizures are scary to witness but he’s in safe hands. We are all there for him right now and I’m being looked after by my family too.’
She continued: ‘Worst month of our lives I never wish this on anyone.
‘As I go into my third trimester I pray for the day he comes home to me and we can enjoy these last few weeks preparing for our precious baby.
‘That’s all I can hold onto right now. Life is so unpredictable and it makes you appreciate so much more when you go through these times.
‘Thank you for all your messages we will get there’.
Sophie followed up the message by sharing a sweet bump mirror selfie and revealed she is currently 28 weeks along in her pregnancy.
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Anyone can be affected but at-risk people include those aged under five, 15-to-24 and over 45.
People exposed to passive smoking or with suppressed immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy, are also more at risk.
The most common forms of meningitis are bacterial and viral.
Symptoms for both include:
Pale, blotchy skin with a rash that does not fade when compressed with a glassStiff neckDislike of bright lights Fever, and cold hands and feetVomitingDrowsiness Severe headache
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics.
Some 10 per cent of bacterial cases are fatal.
Of those who survive, one in three suffer complications, including brain damage and hearing loss.
Limb amputation is a potential side effect if septicaemia (blood poisoning) occurs.
Vaccines are available against certain strains of bacteria that cause meningitis, such as tuberculosis.
Viral meningitis
Viral is rarely life-threatening but can cause long-lasting effects, such as headaches, fatigue and memory problems.
Thousands of people suffer from viral meningitis every year in the UK.
Treatment focuses on hydration, painkillers and rest.
Although ineffective, antibiotics may be given when patients arrive at hospital just in case they are suffering from the bacterial form of the disease.
Source: Meningitis Now