A father, dubbed a “superhero,” ignored what he believed was a common cold, only to undergo a double leg amputation due to a severe case of sepsis.
Mathew Hicks, residing in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, initially treated his fever with paracetamol in March 2023. Following a 999 call by his wife Rachael, paramedics rushed him to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Medical evaluations revealed that he was combating sepsis, Strep A, and pneumonia in his right lung.
Placed in a medically induced coma as his organs started failing, Mathew woke up two weeks later to the devastating news that blood circulation to his feet had stopped, necessitating amputation below the knee.
Expressing his shock, Mathew shared with the Daily Record that he hadn’t comprehended the situation until he saw his grey-colored feet, leading him to willingly opt for amputation.
For seven grueling weeks, Mathew’s three-year-old daughter Evie couldn’t visit him, which Rachael described as the most challenging aspect of their ordeal.
Recalling the distressing period, Rachael recounted the sudden deterioration of Mathew’s health despite him initially showing only mild cold symptoms. The doctors resorted to an ECMO machine as a last-ditch effort to sustain his life.
An ECMO machine functions as a life-support system by externally oxygenating blood to support heart and lung functions.
After enduring 12 weeks in the hospital, Mathew was discharged and allowed to return home. However, the severe sepsis has resulted in a heart condition, reducing his heart’s capacity to 34%.
The long-term effects remain uncertain, but the family remains hopeful as Mathew adapts to his new circumstances. Mathew emphasized his changed perspective on life, prioritizing family time and enjoyment over work commitments post-recovery.