Jordan Brook and Sophie Kasaei gave their first TV interview since his 22-day hospital stay with viral meningitis, speaking about his ongoing recovery
Jordan was diagnosed with viral meningitis (Image: Jordan Brook/Instagram)
Jordan Brook has spoken publicly about his terrifying health ordeal in his first television interview since being discharged from hospital.
The Towie star was admitted to hospital with meningitis for 22 days, and continues to recover from the viral illness, which was unconnected to the Kent outbreak.
He had initially been informed his symptoms were merely a migraine, and was sent home before returning to his GP as his discomfort worsened, whereupon he was rushed to A&E.
Jordan, 31, and his expectant partner Sophie Kasaei were left dreading the worst, and while he has now thankfully been allowed home, he’s still recuperating and experiencing lingering symptoms.
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Making an appearance on Good Morning Britain today, Jordan recounted the harrowing experience as he and Geordie Shore star Sophie, 36, were interviewed by presenters Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway, reports the Mirror.
He started by explaining this was the first day he’d experienced that provided him with a “sense of normality”, after believing that “would never happen” just days ago.
He described life being “great” after celebrating his 31st birthday, while preparing for their baby’s arrival, but was suddenly afflicted with what he assumed was a fever and an “extreme” headache at the start of March.
Initially, Sophie believed Jordan had “man flu”, but his suffering escalated, prompting him to telephone 111.
“I felt like someone had a hot corkscrew out of a fire and was screwing it into my temple. I was in agony. It was making me sick, I was projectile vomiting all over the house, in the bed, bright yellow because I wasn’t eating,” he said.
Paramedics originally suggested Jordan was suffering from a migraine, but just two days afterwards, he was rushed by ambulance to hospital, though his tests all returned clear results, including those for meningitis.
“I’ve never trusted the saying ‘trust your gut’ more. I knew something was wrong,” he went on.
Jordan went back to the hospital following a GP appointment several days later, where he underwent a lumbar puncture and a CT scan. “This is when we realised something was wrong,” he said.
During this time, Jordan wasn’t displaying any of the typical symptoms associated with meningitis, such as a rash or a stiff neck.
Sophie was also prohibited from visiting him in hospital, as if Jordan had contracted bacterial meningitis, it would have posed a danger to her and their unborn baby.
Medical staff also had to inform Jordan of all the potential worst outcomes, and he became visibly upset recalling what they told him.
“This makes me so emotional,” he told Ranvir and Kate. “Doctors said, we can’t rule out brain cancer, because they have to tell you every worst case.”
For Sophie, the most frightening period arrived when Jordan lost his ability to communicate with her.
“You do not think these things will ever happen to you,” she said. “At 31, Jordan is so fit and healthy, he’s always on the go, and to hear that.”
She went on: “Jordan was non-verbal for a bit, and that was the really scary part.”
Following his discharge home last week, Sophie posted on Instagram to share her relief and appreciation for the outcome.
She said, “Watching you walk out of those hospital doors felt like getting my whole world back.
“These past weeks have been the hardest I’ve ever known. But you never stopped fighting, not just for yourself, but for us, for your family, for our little boy growing inside me.
“The goal was to be home for Easter, and you did it! Having JB home, hand on my bump, smiling again means more than words will ever be able to say.
“We are blessed, grateful, and whole again. Happy Easter from us. Enjoy it with loved ones, sit back, and soak it up. Life is a precious gift.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
