A 20-year-old lad had to have both of his legs amputated a couple of days before his 21st birthday. After becoming incredibly ill with flu-like symptoms, the young man experienced multiple organ failure and was branded the 'sickest patient in the country'.
Levi Dewey, now aged 21, suffered from severe sepsis and is now recovering in hospital following the operation which involved the removal of his legs.
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Levi's devastated family were informed by doctors that he had less than a 30% chance of survival after being assessed when he was rushed into intensive care.
However, the young man is thankfully making a remarkable recovery which his family are overjoyed with. Though the surgery has been life-changing for Levi, his family are currently fundraising to hopefully help him learn to walk again.
On 7 December 2022, Levi was rushed into Royal Derby Hospital with severe flu-like symptoms and difficult breathing before his condition rapidly deteriorated and he went into septic shock, causing his body to shut down and suffer multiple organ failure.
Following tests, doctors found that Levi was suffering from both Influenza B and Pneumococcal Pneumonia. He was then transferred from Royal Derby Hospital to Glenfield hospital, Leicester, for specialist care.
Levi, who was a JCB welder at the time, was declared to be 'the sickest patient in the country' by doctors - and his devastated family were told the difficult news that he only had a slim chance of survival.
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But thanks to ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and full organ support, Levi managed to turn a corner and began to recover slowly, spending a total of 20 days on ECMO and 14 days in an induced coma. After 31 days, Levi was able to come off the ventilation system and returned closer to home to the Royal Derby Hospital for further treatment.
Unfortunately, Levi learned the difficult news that his legs would need to be amputated due to the severity of the sepsis he had suffered. The lower half of his legs had turned completely black with sepsis, posing an incredibly dangerous and life-threatening risk.
Just two days before his 21st birthday, Levi underwent the life-changing surgery. His family have since shared an update, revealing that the operation had gone well, saying: "I just wanted to give everyone an update that Levi's surgery went well yesterday and as planned."
"He has had bilateral below knee amputations of both legs and he was over the moon with this as there was the risk that it could have been above knee."
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"He is currently in recovery but remaining positive about the challenges he faces ahead."
Levi is said to be 'grateful to be alive' and is remaining 'optimistic' for the future.
Levi's family have been blown away by the support they have received on the GoFundMe page they had set up for his continued treatment, raising more than £77,000 so far; which his family plan to use to make necessary home renovations and adaptations to help with Levi's mobility at home. The money will also go towards a wheelchair and high-quality prosthetics when he is able to walk again.
Levi's mother, Lara Dewey told StokeonTrent Live: "Initially we were looking to raise £10,000 but as you can see this has been exceeded and the response has been extremely overwhelming."
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"It's amazing how supportive friends, family, colleagues, communities and also strangers have been towards this cause and also their generosity."
Harley Young