Townsville University Hospital doctors save Peter Bakker’s life as lupus causes organ failure

What could have been a death sentence for a Townsville dad, ended up giving him a new lease on life. Meet the amazing medical experts who saved his life.

Dr Eliza Pearson and Dr Ruvi Jayalath helped save Peter Bakker’s life. Photo: Ian Hitchcock.

When Peter Bakker visits Townsville University Hospital for a check-up, it feels like a family reunion.

For four months and five days last year, Mr Bakker’s wife Beverly Ann and their daughters and son stood side-by-side with doctors and specialists as they battled to save his life.

Peter has a rare form of the auto-immune disease lupus - only four men in his age group have been diagnosed with his particular variant.

The disease almost cost him his life with Peter suffering multiple organ failure.

The was so bleak, his family was warned to prepare themselves for the worst on multiple occasions.

Beverly Ann said it was impossible to describe the admiration she felt for Peter’s doctors.

“You can’t put into words what we feel for the staff that looked after him,” she said.

Peter Bakker sits with his family and health carers at Townsville University Hospital. Photo: Ian Hitchcock.

Peter said it was a harrowing time and there were moments where he thought about giving up.

“In my traumas, I kept saying ‘let me go, let go - I don’t want to keep doing this’ but they kept on with it, they saw something in it, and because of that, I’m here,” he said.

Rachel, one of Peter’s daughters, said she could not thank the doctors enough for not giving up.

“Every time they hit a brick wall, they pivoted and kept going,” Rachel said.

Rheumatology specialists Ruvinka Jayalath and Eliza Pearson are two of the doctors who fought to identify and treat the disease wreaking havoc inside Peter’s body - and just like him - it’s an experience they will never forget.

Dr Eliza Pearson and Dr Ruvi Jayalath with Peter Bakker. Photo: Ian Hitchcock.

“Considering the complexity of what Peter went through and the condition that he suffers from, it’s a luxury to have this outcome,” Dr Jayalath said.

“He was so unwell and there were multiple teams involved because his condition is so rare. To see this outcome and to have him sitting here with his family is just magic for us.”

Dr Pearson said it was a privilege to forge such a tight bond with Peter and his family during one of their lowest points.

“Peter was so unwell, we gave all our energy to him and his family,” Dr Pearson said.

“We were really lucky that he had such a beautiful family and we really became very close with them.

“Moments like this, it’s why you do this, it makes you want to go into work.”

Originally published as Townsville University Hospital doctors save Peter Bakker’s life as lupus causes organ failure