Local

Doctors trying to get Tripp Halstead's infection under control

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The mother of  a Winder toddler with bacterial meningitis says his doctors are working to get his infection under control.

Stacy Halstead posted a Facebook photo of Tripp Halstead sleeping on Saturday night. She said his color is good and that he slept well. The update comes after doctors performed an emergency surgery on the child on Thursday.

Stacy Halstead says she has high hopes about her son's recovery, noting he's been on a journey since he was hurt by a falling tree limb during Superstorm Sandy. The limb struck his head while playing outside a Winder day care in October.

Family members posted an update on the Tripp Halstead Updates Facebook page late Thursday afternoon saying Tripp is having emergency surgery to remove a shunt and a pump to help his body focus on recovering from bacterial meningitis. Tripp's mother, Stacy Halstead, said she got to see Tripp around 1 a.m. Friday and the surgery was a success.

Later on Friday, the family provided an update on Tripp's status.

"This caught us very much by surprise. We've come so far. I've directly asked the doctor today if he thought it was life threatening and he said, 'Yes,'" Stacey Halstead said.

Stacet Halstead told Channel 2's Dave Huddleston the doctors aren't sure how Tripp contracted meningitis but it could be from the tubes and equipment designed to help him get better.

"All the bacteria that was growing on the equipment releases and just compounds the problem," Stacey Halstead said.

Father Bill Halstead later said Tripp has multiple levels of infection, including sepsis.

Bill Halstead posted a picture of Tripp from last year on the families Facebook page to show how strong he is.

"It's taken from our last beach trip we do every year. I couldn't think of anything that was more fitting at that moment than that," Bill Halstead said.

The Halsteads said they plan to take that vacation again this year with Tripp. They also thanked the community for the outpouring of support.

"The fact that so many people around the world are praying for our little Winder boy. Sometimes it's just so overwhelming, you just don't understand," Stacey Halstead said.

Channel 2 Action News is monitoring Tripp's progress and will have any updates on Channel 2 Action News and WSBTV.com.