A Scottish dad was given a life-changing diagnosis when he thought he was just battling a bad cold.
Mathew James Hicks had both of his legs amputated after he was diagnosed with sepsis in March 2023. The doting father was at home taking paracetamol to take down his temperature but in a confused state, he was rushed to hospital.
Once at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, doctors found he had sepsis, Strep A, and pneumonia in his right lung. His condition was so severe that his organs were already starting to shut down and Mathew, 34, was put into a coma in a bid to save his life.
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As the Daily Record reports, two weeks later Mathew woke up to find the doctors surrounding his bed to deliver more life-shattering news. The blood supply to Mathew's feet was no longer functioning and as a result, he need surgery to amputate both legs below the knee.
Mathew said: "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."
Recalling the shock of her husband's serious illness, 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 is a form of life support that provides cardiac and respiratory support by oxygenating the blood outside of the body.
Rachel admitted that the doctor was 'painfully honest' and told the family if the ECMO 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."
The mum-of-one was extremely worried about how Mathew was going to react once he came out of his coma, however she was taken aback by how accepting he was, noting that their daughter gave him the strength to 'pull through'.
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. She added: "Evie is such a daddy's girl. Now she calls him her superhero."
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 per cent. 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.
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