A father, dubbed a “superhero,” ignored what he believed was a simple cold but ended up having to undergo amputation of both legs due to a severe case of sepsis.
Mathew Hicks, residing in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, initially treated his fever with paracetamol in March 2023. His wife, Rachael, called emergency services, and he was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Doctors diagnosed him with sepsis, Strep A, and pneumonia in his right lung.
Facing organ failure, Mathew was placed in a medically induced coma to sustain his life. Upon awakening two weeks later, he received the devastating news that blood flow to his feet had stopped, necessitating amputation below the knees.
Expressing his shock, Mathew shared, “I didn’t grasp the situation fully when informed about the amputation because I couldn’t see my feet initially. However, upon seeing the grey color they had turned, I was completely taken aback.”
His daughter Evie, three years old at the time, couldn’t visit him for seven weeks, which Rachael described as the most challenging part of their ordeal.
Recalling the ordeal, Rachael said, “He was immediately taken to ICU, and I was informed of his critical condition. Mathew, usually healthy, had only complained of a bad cold and high fever, so we thought he was fine.”
An ECMO machine, a life-support system, was used to oxygenate Mathew’s blood externally as his organs struggled. Despite the initial grim prognosis, Mathew pulled through, but the necessity of amputation was another blow to the family.
After a 12-week hospital stay, Mathew finally returned home, albeit with a heart condition resulting from the severe sepsis, reducing his heart function to 34%. The long-term effects remain uncertain.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, the family remains hopeful as Mathew adapts to his new circumstances. Mathew expressed relief at being back home and highlighted a newfound perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of family time over work.