A dad who thought he just had a common cold was taking paracetamol at home in the hopes it would reduce his temperature. It wasn't until he began feeling confused that Matthew's wife Rachel called an ambulance.
The 34-year-old was rushed to hospital where doctors found he had contracted sepsis, Strep A and pneumonia in his right lung. His organs had started shutting down so doctors put him in a coma in a bid to save his life.
He woke up two weeks later to the devastating news that would change the course of his entire life. Doctors told Matthew that the blood supply to his feet was no longer functioning and he needed surgery to amputate both legs below the knee.
"I didn’t really understand what was happening when I was told about my amputation because I hadn’t seen my feet.
"I just accepted what the consultant told me, but once I did eventually see the grey colour they had gone I was completely shocked. Then I was desperate to have them removed," he told the Daily Record.
Mathew's wife Rachel, 36, said: "He was taken straight to ICU and I was told he was critically ill.
"Mathew is usually fit and healthy. He had only been complaining about a bad cold and a high temperature but the paracetamol was helping so we both thought he was ok.
"I just couldn't believe how serious it was. The doctors put him in a coma. I was told there had been no improvement and that as a last resort, they were going to use a machine called an ECMO to help keep him alive."
An ECMO machine pumps and oxygenates a patient's blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest. Rachel says the doctors told them that if the machine didn't help stabilise Mathew's organs, there were no options left.
Rachael continued: "We sat in silence and disbelief. We were so relieved when we were told Matthew had pulled through but then we were given more bad news about the amputation.
"Not for one minute did I think things would turn out this way." Rachael said she was extremely worried about how her husband would react when he came out of his coma, but was surprised at how accepting he was.
She said: "Mathew has been so strong and amazing. His attitude has been so positive. His main focus is our daughter, Evie. She gives him the strength to push himself."
Evie, three, was unable to see her daddy for seven weeks, which Rachael said was the hardest thing throughout it all. Mathew was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after 12 weeks of recovery.
He has also developed a rare heart condition as a result of the severe sepsis which has caused his heart to function at only 34%. Doctors say only time will tell what effect it will have.
The family said they know they have a tough road ahead of them whilst Mathew adapts to a new way of life, but are hopeful for the future. Mathew added: "I feel relieved to finally be home after all this time.
"My outlook to life has definitely changed. Prior to my illness I would work as much as possible, but now I realise that work is not everything and I plan to spend more time enjoying life and spending more time with my family."
A fundraiser has now been set up to help the family's garden accessible for Mathew. So far almost £16,000 has been raised and the family say they are overwhelmed with the support they have received.
To donate click here.
