Father ‘who thought he had a cold’ had contracted sepsis

A father-of-three had both feet and a hand amputated after contracting the life-threatening condition sepsis – believing he was only suffering from the flu.

Chris Garlick, 46, had to have three limbs removed after suddenly falling ill with what he initially thought was just a cold.

The father, who also lost all his fingers on the other hand, was left fighting for his life after doctors discovered he had the condition which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissue and organs.

Chris Garlick, 46, had to have both his legs and one of his hands removed after suddenly falling ill with sepsis, believing it was just a cold. The father, who also lost all his fingers on the other hand, was left fighting for his life after doctors discovered he had the condition which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissue and organs

Despite now facing having to learn how to live an entirely different life, Chris says he is just full of gratitude to the doctors who saved him.  

Massage therapist Chris, whose children are aged 10, eight and five, said:’I’m looking forward to the future because I did manage to survive sepsis. 

‘I have survived and I have got things to do. I’m going to be a father and a husband again.’

It was mid-July when Chris, who runs a chiropractic clinic in Cardiff alongside wife Karran, 41, first began complaining of cold and flu-like symptoms.

Despite now facing having to learn how to live an entirely different life, Chris says he is just full of gratitude to the doctors who saved him. Massage therapist Mr Garlick, whose children are aged 10, eight and five, said: 'I'm looking forward to the future because I did manage to survive sepsis

Despite now facing having to learn how to live an entirely different life, Chris says he is just full of gratitude to the doctors who saved him. Massage therapist Mr Garlick, whose children are aged 10, eight and five, said: ‘I’m looking forward to the future because I did manage to survive sepsis

Over the weekend he felt so unwell he became confined to his bed at home.

‘On Sunday morning I was feeling really rough,’ Chris said. ‘We were going to take the kids swimming but I said I just couldn’t manage it. So Karran put a film on for the children.’

Karran returned to the bedroom a while later and found he was running a high temperature, but he was so weak he was unable to get into the bath to cool off.

Chris said: ‘I couldn’t walk straight and the pain in my head was unbearable, and that’s the last thing I remember.’

Karran had recently started a training course with a view to returning to nursing and recognised some of Chris’ symptoms.

She telephoned NHS Direct and after allowing the operator to hear Chris’ laboured breathing down the line, an ambulance was immediately dispatched to their home.

Chris was taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, where he was placed on assisted breathing apparatus and given a blanket course of antibiotics.

Karran said: ‘At four o’clock he was talking to me, and by six o’clock he was near death; literally. For four days they told me he was going to die, so they were preparing me for the worst.’

Chris was taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, where he was placed on assisted breathing apparatus and given a blanket course of antibiotics. His wife Karran (pictured) called NHS Direct after recognising some of the sepsis symptoms

Chris was taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, where he was placed on assisted breathing apparatus and given a blanket course of antibiotics. His wife Karran (pictured) called NHS Direct after recognising some of the sepsis symptoms

During the first night, Chris had to be resuscitated. His condition eventually stabilised, but he remained in a coma for a further fortnight.

Karran said doctors discovered Chris had contracted meningococcal bacteria, which led to the septic reaction.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. It is most commonly caused by bacterial infection.

‘His lungs had stopped working, his heart wasn’t working too well and his clotting wasn’t working so he was bleeding everywhere,’ Karran said.

‘Because his blood pressure was so low, what your body naturally does is try to maintain your vital organs. This means your extremities don’t have enough blood running to them.’

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. It is most commonly caused by bacterial infection

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. It is most commonly caused by bacterial infection

She added: ‘They were talking about amputations probably a week into his illness.’

A build up of dead tissue, known as necrotic tissue, around Chris’ limbs was found to be causing strain on his body.

Chris was visited by a surgical consultant, who broke the news to the couple that he would have to amputate below the knee on both legs.

Karran said: ‘I remember he said to me ‘please don’t let them take my legs’, because he loved walking on the beach and he was worried that he would never feel the sand under his feet again.’

On August 30, the day of his daughter’s tenth birthday, Chris went into surgery to have his legs amputated, as well as his left arm above the wrist but below the elbow at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Surgeons were able to save the palm of his right hand and his thumb.

On August 30, the day of his daughter's tenth birthday, Chris went into surgery to have his legs amputated, as well as his left arm above the wrist but below the elbow at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Surgeons were able to save the palm of his right hand and his thumb

On August 30, the day of his daughter’s tenth birthday, Chris went into surgery to have his legs amputated, as well as his left arm above the wrist but below the elbow at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Surgeons were able to save the palm of his right hand and his thumb

Chris said: ‘I pleaded with him to save everything he could and he did. I’m very grateful for that.

‘When you think about all the tiny, miniscule things like buttering toast or typing on a key board that you just take for granted,’ he added. ‘Once you don’t have that it’s incredibly painful.

‘But I’m so grateful for what I do have left. It really does make you feel humble.’

In the intervening seven weeks, Chris made faster progress with his recovery than doctors initially estimated. He says he wants to be able to return home for Christmas and hopes he will soon be moved to Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff to begin more intensive rehabilitation.

Warning signs 

In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach. The six signs of something potentially deadly can be identified by the acronym ‘SEPSIS’:

  • Slurred speech or confusion.
  • Extreme shivering or muscle pain.
  • Passing no urine in a day.
  • Severe breathlessness.
  • ‘I feel like I might die.’
  • Skin that’s mottled or discoloured.

Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should seek medical help urgently — and ask doctors: ‘Could this be sepsis?’

‘My goal is to be home for three days over the Christmas period. I’m really focused on that. When I do my physiotherapy I get a lot of anger and frustration out, because that’s part of the process, but the positive is that I’m getting closer to going home. Ultimately I intend to get home for Christmas.’

Dr Ron Daniels BEM, Chief Executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: ‘Stories like Chris’s remind us of the devastating human cost of sepsis. Every day in the UK, individuals and families have their lives torn apart by the condition, but better awareness could save thousands of lives each year.

‘Whenever there are signs of infection it’s crucial members of the public seek medical attention immediately, and that healthcare professionals ‘think sepsis’. With every hour that passes before the right antibiotics are administered, risk of death increases. Earlier recognition and treatment can save lives and mean hugely improved outcomes for those affected.’

A Just Giving page set up during the summer raised £2,000 to help support the family while Karran and Chris have been unable to work.

With extensive renovation needed to adapt their home for Chris’ needs in future, another Just Giving campaign has been set up. A coffee morning which took place on Saturday October 21 has also been organised to raise money to support the family.

Chris said: ‘The generosity people have shown us is just unbelievable. You wouldn’t believe it in this day and age. It makes me tearful not because I’m upset but because it’s amazing.’  

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