A 14-year-old has tragically had his four limbs amputated after contracting an extremely rare illness.
Mathias Uribe came down with symptoms in mid-June that resembled the flu, however they only seemed to intensify.
He was eventually rushed to hospital and his heart stopped as he went into cardiac arrest.
Advert
The teen was flown to two different hospitals before eventually being diagnosed with pneumonia and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent says STSS can develop very quickly into low blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even death.
Mathias was placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine for almost two weeks to keep him alive.
Head of Mathias' care team is Dr Katie Boyle explained to NBC's WSMV: "It's extremely rare. Sometimes when you get the flu it does set you up for a bacterial infection.
Advert
"But even then, most kids don't get nearly as sick as Mathias did."
His dad Edgar explained that the teen's body wasn't pushing blood to his extremities and they had to make a heartbreaking decision.
His mum Catalina added: "I said when we got to the doctors when we came there, ‘please don’t use the word amputation...let’s use ‘remove'.”
They ended up amputating his left leg above the knee, right leg below the knee and both hands above the wrist.
Catalina said it's difficult to see videos of him playing the piano as well as running around because she knows it will be difficult for him to enjoy those without hands or feet.
Advert
However, she knows they did their best to keep him alive.
"We find solace in knowing that this decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with medical professionals who have his best interests at heart," they said in a GoFundMe page.
"While it is undoubtedly a challenging road ahead, we firmly believe that this surgery will pave the way for a brighter future for our son.
"Our son’s strength and resilience have always been an inspiration to us all. He has faced adversity with unwavering courage, and we have no doubt that he will continue to do so throughout this journey.
Advert
"We are in awe of his unwavering spirit and determination, which will undoubtedly guide him through the challenges that lie ahead."
Their fundraising page has so far raised more than $260,000, which will go towards his medical expenses, prosthetics and recuperation.
Topics: Health
Stewart Perrie