A man from Brighton who almost died from meningitis has revealed how he began to look forward to having his limbs amputated, as his illness progressed.
60 year old Mike Davies spent 70 days in intensive care with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and during this time, he said he knew his hands and feet were “dead” and he would recover better without them. Now he says he is in a positive place and “can even hold a pint of beer”.
With the help of prosthetic limbs, Mr Davies can drive a “specially adapted car” and said he was living life to the full.
Mr Davies said the illness struck on Christmas Eve in 2017 when he began to get “colder and colder”.
“My message to anyone who has amputations would be not to give up,” he said.
His family insisted he went to Royal Sussex County Hospital, after he reportedly “looked like a ghost” and has “blue lips.” In the early hours of Christmas Day, his wife Julie and son Rory were taken to a room and told he was unlikely to survive.
“When they held my hand, I could not feel it. My hands and feet were dying,” he said.
During 10 weeks in hospital “on the edge of survival”, he knew his limbs “needed to go.”
“I began to look forward to having my hands and feet amputated, I was on a lot of medication and I was very accepting that they needed to go for me to make a recovery” he said.
He spent two and a half months at Queen Mary’s University Hospital in Roehampton, learning to walk on prosthetic legs. Since then, he has “walked three miles”, can feed himself, using cutlery strapped to his arms, and can “even hold a pint of beer”.
“I feel in quite a positive place in my mind about the challenges I still have to overcome. Support from other people has been key. I am a lucky man,” he said.
What is Meningitis?
The NHS defines Meningitis as:
An infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.
It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
A number of vaccinations are available that offer some protection against meningitis.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- being sick
- a headache
- a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but this will not always develop)
- a stiff neck
- a dislike of bright lights
- drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- fits (seizures)
These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.
When to get medical help
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you’re concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
Trust your instincts and do not wait until a rash develops.
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
Call NHS 111 or your GP surgery for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
