FIVE years ago a young Chepstow girl’s life was hanging in the balance as she battled deadly meningitis.

But having made a brave recovery, 16-year-old Serahn Dykes is counting down the days until she receives her GCSE results.

Our family picture of a proud Serahn dressed up for the school prom shows just howfar the teenager has come since February half-term 2007.

Having gone to bed with flu-like symptoms, the Chepstow School pupil was “delirious” when she woke up, according to mum of five Irene, 53, and an ambulance was called.

As they made their way to the Royal Gwent Hospital, 11-year-old Serahn came out in the meningitis rash and was put in an induced coma.

She developed septicaemia, her heart and lungs began to fail and her body was doubled in size after she was pumped with fluids and blood to combat the onset of an infection.

The youngster was put on a ventilator and later began having psychotic episodes from the drugs she was on.

But her recovery was only just beginning, as she had to learn to walk again due to muscle wastage from being in hospital for a month.

Even now the teenager worries at the first signs of a cold that the disease is going to return.

But mum Irene says that is a small price to pay following the ordeal and she is just glad to have her daughter back.

The pair enjoyed getting ready for her recent school prom at Chepstow racecourse, which took place a short time after she sat her first major exams.

“I never thought she would make it so looking at her I was just filled with pride. It was so nice to see how far she had come,” she said.

At Christmas 2007, Blue Peter rewarded Serahn with a trip to Lapland UK, where she met EastEnders actor Charlie Clements, who played Bradley Branning.

Serahn has also tried to help others by handing out cards detailing the symptoms of meningitis for Meningitis UK.

Ms Dykes says sharing her daughter’s story will give hope to families going through similar experiences.

“There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel and things do get better.

My beautiful daughter is living proof of that,” she added.