A Spalding teenager is in a medically-induced coma in Spain after falling critically ill holiday.
Lisa Szymanowska (14) went on a summer break with her mum, Monika Kaleta and sister Emma (6), when she began to feel ill towards the end of their stay.
Initially it was thought she might have a case of sunstroke, but her condition rapidly deteriorated and she has been diagnosed with encephalitis – inflammation of the brain.
Lisa is a pupil at Spalding High School and her older sister Alicia Kaleta, of Donington, has started a fundraiser to help support the family while Monika stays in Alicante with her daughter.
“Mum thought it was simply sunstrroke as she presented those type of symptoms. Lisa decided to lay down and get some rest.
“After a few hours Lisa was found on the bathroom floor half conscious,” said Alicia.
She was immediately taken to hospital where the doctors knew straight away that it was something more serious.
“At this point Lisa was unable to form words, unaware of her surroundings and coming in and out of consciousness.”
She underwent an MRI scan and has been transferred to a different hospital.
Her condition was deemed serious enough to put the teenager in an induced coma while receiving medication and care.
Brain scans revealed swelling and potentially some damage. While unconscious Lisa has also suffered some epilepsy-type fits and has been connected to a machine in hospital to help her breathe.
Her mum is ‘in absolute shock,’ said Alicia who has so far raised moore than £13,000 via the GoFundMe website.
Accommodation costs and not being able to work means Monika has no means to pay bills and she will also need to secure flights home. Donations can be made via gofundme.com and search for Alicia Kaleta.
