A 16-year-old from Porirua remains in intensive care in Bali fighting bacterial meningitis and pneumonia after falling ill during a family holiday.
Ashen Phaipanya became sick while his family was celebrating his mother Sheena's 40th birthday in Indonesia. A family friend said Ashen contracted bacterial meningitis after eating undercooked pork.
Ashen was in a coma as specialists at BIMC Hospital treated the swelling in his brain. When doctors withdrew sedation, Ashen initially gave no response. One parent said: "He was not responding in any way. It was heart-breaking as I watched the Intensivist try over and over again to try get a response."
Ashen later showed signs of awareness, including attempting to swat away a nurse's hand. As of June 24, he had been taken off intubation and had woken up. He remains in critical condition in the ICU but is now responsive.
Both parents, Sheena and Ants Phaipanya, have stayed in Bali with their son, but the family's travel insurance will only cover one parent to remain. Jordyne Lyons, a co-worker and friend of Sheena, set up a Givealittle page to help fund both parents' stay. "Understandably neither of them are going to leave their son, or each other at this time," Lyons said.
Lyons said doctors were initially uncertain whether the brain swelling would cause permanent damage given its severity. The fundraiser had raised more than $14,500 by Thursday night.