Mackenzie's Meningitis Story

This is Mackenzie. Today she is a vivacious, 5 year old but her journey in life started with bacterial meningitis. In March of 2020, at three months old I noticed she had a high fever. I rushed her to the emergency room. Hours later in a very crowded emergency room amidst an emerging global pandemic, we were sent home with little answers.

Only a few hours later, she was pale, burning up and lethargic. We rushed her to the children’s emergency room. Tired, terrified and anxious, we waited for answers. After a few more tests they said she needed a spinal tap. I knew it wasn’t good news when I saw the look on the nurses faces when they walked out of the room. Just a couple hours later she was admitted to the PICU with bacterial meningitis. It was a long and scary couple weeks watching Mack fight for her life.

Two weeks later, she was doing great and we were ready to go home. But not before one final test. A hearing test. Which she failed. Twice. Leaving the hospital with so many questions was a bitter sweet experience. We were so incredibly thankful she was doing better but were left with that question of, “well, now what?’

Fast forward a few weeks and we get the confirmation that Mackenzie has bilateral, profound hearing loss. Meaning she is completely deaf in both ears.

We were now on a fast track to getting cochlear implants. At just 5 months old, Mack was implanted with bilateral Cis. Years of therapy and today Mack is just like any other five year old, just with super ears.

Bacterial meningitis forever changed our lives 5 years ago. But Mackenzie is a tenacious little firecracker, who never lets anything stop her or stand in her way. If meningitis can’t stop her, nothing can. - Written by Mackenzie’s mom, Stephanie.