A mother’s keen sense of smell potentially saved her son’s life when she detected a life-threatening illness by the distinct odour of his breath. Victoria Hare, a 41-year-old mother, claims she has a unique ability to detect when her children are seriously unwell through their scent. Victoria noticed a specific smell on her 15-year-old son, Harry’s breath, which resembled nail varnish remover. This smell, reminiscent of acetone, is associated with the presence of ketones in the breath, which can indicate various medical conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, the ketogenic diet, and liver failure.
Victoria, residing in Oakham, Rutland, suspected her son might be diabetic due to the unusual smell but struggled to secure a GP appointment. Determined to confirm her suspicions, she used a device to measure Harry’s blood sugar levels, which turned out to be alarmingly high. Rushing Harry to Peterborough City Hospital, doctors diagnosed him with being on the brink of diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication of diabetes that can be fatal if left untreated.
Grateful for her extraordinary olfactory talent, Victoria emphasises the importance of persistence when it comes to health concerns. She recounts how she has recognised the scent of ketones on her son’s breath, a hallmark of diabetes, and acted swiftly to seek medical attention. Victoria’s proactive approach led to Harry’s timely treatment and diagnosis with type-1 diabetes after a two-night hospital stay.
Reflecting on the experience, Victoria expresses her frustration with the initial dismissal by doctors and advocates for individuals to advocate for their health concerns assertively. Despite facing challenges in obtaining a prompt medical assessment, Victoria’s intuitive sensing of her son’s condition highlights the crucial role of parental instincts in safeguarding their children’s well-being.
Victoria’s account serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of being attuned to subtle changes in health indicators and underscores the value of perseverance in navigating the healthcare system. By trusting her instincts and taking swift action, Victoria potentially averted a life-threatening crisis for her son, reinforcing the power of a mother’s intuition in protecting her child’s health and well-being.