A SCHOOLBOY, who told his parents he was going to “rest in bed”; after suffering with a cough and temperature, suddenly died “out of nowhere”;.
Tomas Remeikis, 12, had been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension as a child after doctors discovered a .
Pulmonary hypertension isa condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs, and in children can stem from various underlying conditions, includingcongenital heart defects, lung diseases, and genetic factors.
But despite his diagnosis, Tomas lived a healthy life for many years – to school every day and attending taekwondo classes twice a week.
It wasn’t until May 26 this year that Tomas, who was born in but moved to Southport two years ago, fell ill.
Despite being rushed to hospital, he tragically died.
When Tomas was a young child he often experienced shortness of breath and tiredness – two symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.
His dad, Andrius Remeikis, told Liverpool Echo: “He was just ill all the time but we thought it was . Then his mum went to see her parents when he was about two and half, three years old, and he was walking with his granddad on a little scooter.
“Tomas used to stop to catch breath and his granddad became a bit suspicious. He said, he shouldn’t be so tired.”;
Pulmonary hypertension can lead to serious complications like heart failure, which can be fatal.
When Tomas’ hole in his heart was discovered, he underwent urgent , which was successful.
He was then required to take medication every day and also received regular checkups at Great Ormond Street Hospital in .
Following the surgery, once or twice a year Tomas would feel dizzy.
But nothing would show up in tests and he otherwise appeared stable.
Around a week before his death, Tomas started feeling poorly with a cough and a temperature, but soon felt better.
However, he fell ill again on the Bank Holiday Monday in May.
Andrius said: “I had just made breakfast and he wasn’t feeling well. I asked the same questions about his lungs and heart but he just had a cough.
“He said, I’ll go rest in bed for a bit. In the afternoon he got up again and I made him some tea. I asked how he was feeling and he said, maybe a bit better.
He shouted, ‘mum, help’ and we called the ambulance. Then he lost consciousness
Andrius Remeikis
“Then it just all happened all of a sudden. I was with my wife and we decided to go to the hospital. She started getting his trousers out and then she shouted at me, saying, his lips are getting blue. He shouted, ‘mum, help’ and we called the ambulance. Then he lost consciousness.”;
An ambulance arrived to take Tomas to hospital, but his family aren’t exactly sure when or why he died.
While a post-mortem has said it looks like his heart failed, the cause of death will be determined by an inquest.
Tomas’ family has asked for donations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, who supported him throughout his life.
His heart will be donated to them for medical research.
Andrius said: “Tomas was kind, friendly, loving and outgoing. He really got along with everyone that he came in contact with. Anyone who spent time with him loved him.”;
