In a post on Friday morning, Tripp's mom, Stacy, called his infection serious and life-threatening, according to doctors following his surgery. A couple of hours later, his dad, Bill, posted an update with specifics of his condition, saying he is battling "meningitis and inflammation in
his ventricles, he has infection in his blood so they are also saying he
has sepsis."
The 2-year-old Winder boy has been hospitalized since late October after being struck by a large tree branch outside his daycare. He's being treated at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
After Tripp was unable to sleep, doctors discovered he had contacted bacterial meningitis, which is an infection in his brain.
"Please pray pray pray. They are taking him in for emergency surgery to remove the shunt and the pump. He has bacterial meningitis which is very life threatening," his mom wrote in a post on Thursday afternoon.
His grandmother told FOX 5 that an operation was needed to remove a shunt on his head and a pump near his abdomen, both which were apparent sources of the infection for the brain. In a second Facebook post, which went up around 8:30 p.m., Tripp's father said that the family was still waiting for an operating room, as other children in greater need went before them.
Then, around 1 a.m. Friday morning, his mom posted an update that they had finally been allowed to see him after surgery.
"Tripp looked so pitiful. Wires coming out of his head, breathing tube down his throat, so pale and still shaking a bit. They had heating pads on his arms and feet trying to figure where to put another IV in him. I pray he sleeps all night."
She also wrote that even though Tripp's shunt and pump were successfully removed, he's not out of the woods. She says Tripp he still has to deal with the meningitis and remaining infection, and then have his shunt put back in.
"Still got a long road ahead of us. Thanks for hanging in here with us. We need all the support we can get right now," she wrote.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:25:16 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:11:47 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:21:22 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
Sunday, March 31 2013 6:55 PM EDT2013-03-31 22:55:12 GMT
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
Friday, March 22 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-03-23 03:38:32 GMT
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters.
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters. FOX 5 contacted Facebook on behalf of the Halstead family after their access was restricted, and it has since been restored.
Tuesday, February 19 2013 9:52 PM EST2013-02-20 02:52:48 GMT
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again.
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again, this time to remove and replace an external shunt after he recently developed bacterial meningitis.
Monday, February 18 2013 10:04 PM EST2013-02-19 03:04:12 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead has experienced a serious setback, his mother reports on his Facebook page. After Tripp was unable to sleep, doctors discovered he had contacted bacterial meningitis.
Friday, February 8 2013 5:43 AM EST2013-02-08 10:43:03 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he's scheduled to go home on Friday.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he could be headed home soon. The 2-year-old Winder boy has gone from the brink of death to thriving after suffering traumatic brain injury when a tree limb fell on him at his day care in late October last year.
205 N. Michigan Avenue Ground Floor Chicago, IL 60601 Station Operator: (312) 565-5532 Newsroom: (312)565-5533
Tripp Halstead is recovering after being hit in the head by a large tree branch (photo by Halstead family)
