Leo Gillick
A 20-year-old man from the UK thought he was coming down with the flu, but it transpired to be sepsis that caused him to lose both his legs only two days before his birthday.
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At 20 years old, Levi Dewy was a fit and healthy young man. He enjoyed playing football, driving, and many other activities that involve two legs. But one night, he complained to his mother about a few flu-like symptoms. Not thinking too much into it, he took some light medication and tried to weather it out.
Rapid Deterioration: When Levi failed to improve with medication, his mother took him to the hospital. He was feverish, had a high temperature, and no appetite. When he arrived at the hospital, the doctors immediately knew something was drastically wrong.
- Doctors quickly diagnosed him with pneumococcal pneumonia, a sepsis that can quickly become life-threatening. He was transferred to a hospital that would be able to give him the care he needed and placed into a medically induced coma.
Fighting For Life
The 20-year-old went from feeling a little under the weather to being in a coma and given only a 30% chance of survival. Doctors did all they could to prevent the spread of sepsis throughout his body. He was put on a breathing apparatus in an attempt to allow his lungs to heal.
Lost Legs: Despite the best efforts of doctors, 20-year-old Levi lost both his legs to sepsis. The illness had spread throughout his body, and his legs were amputated just below the knee. However, he was lucky to have escaped with his life.
Now, Levi and his family are rebuilding. Despite losing both his legs just before his birthday, he did survive the savage sepsis. His family is grateful he is still with them. Now it is a case of working with what they still have.
- “It was really difficult because I nearly died, and I’m so grateful to be here, but I had to wrap my head around spending the rest of my life without my legs,” Levi told The Daily Mail. “I couldn’t even get changed by myself or sit up. And because I lost my feet, I had to learn how to drive using my hands. It’s those things people can’t really understand.”
