Dad has his leg amputated on his 40th birthday after ‘groin strain’ playing football left him in coma with deadly sepsis
A DAD nearly died after a groin strain playing pub football turned to sepsis - and had his leg amputated on his 40th birthday to save his life.
Dave Cram, a DPD driver from Blackpool, went to bed with mild flu-like symptoms after tweaking his muscle earlier this month.
But his cold turned out to be a Strep B infection and his muscles were so swollen that they were crushing his leg.
Just 24 hours later, on his 40th birthday, the dad-of-one was rushed to hospital where doctors put him in a coma after finding out that deadly sepsis was rapidly spreading from the wound.
Brother Lee, 35, said: "The infection collected on his leg injury and his body became severely septic and he was diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome."
'FIGHT OF HIS LIFE'
Dave - known as Kenny - went into septic shock and was put on two dialysis machines.
He had three cardiac arrests on January 14 and has since survived another three.
Lee continued: "Basically Kenny's sepsis levels were so high that his chances of making it through the next day wasn't guaranteed.
"The antibiotics needed to kick in and Kenny needed to begin the fight of his life."
Sepsis travels around the body incredibly fast and can kill in 12 hours.
His family, including his wife, Keely, 32, were "told to prepare ourselves for the worst" as they sat with him at his bedside.
Surgeons ran out of options as the sepsis caused compartment syndrome and killed off the muscles in his leg.
They made the tough decision to rush him into theatre and amputate his left leg at the hip to save his life.
Lee continued: "We thought he was going to die because he was so severely ill - the consultant said he had never seen anyone go on two dialysis machines before.
"After surgery, his leg started to turn black because the muscles had died and was releasing toxins into his body.
"It’s absolutely devastating because he’s so young, active and has his five-year old daughter, Robyn, to look after, I know it’s just going to rock his world.
"As a family, we’re struggling to accept it but having his leg amputated is better than him not being with us anymore."
'WORST TIME OF OUR LIVES'
Dave has since remained in hospital and has suffered from six separate cardiac arrests due to the sepsis weakening his body, leading to multiple organ failure.
But miraculously, cardiologists believe his heart is still in good condition and he is slowly making progress.
Joiner Lee, also from Blackpool, said: “Dave’s got a long way to go, but the doctors have got him a stage we never thought he would be at.
"We couldn’t fault the hospital at all, they’ve dealt with Dave and our family brilliantly.
"It’s been the worst time of our lives, no one expected this to happen at all.
"Dave is struggling but is now a lot stronger. It’s a miracle that he’s pulled through - he’s a fighter."
The family has been raising money through and have so far raised more than £30,000, including a £2,000 donation from singer Olly Murs.
Lee added: “We set up the fundraising page because he’s going to struggle not just mentally, but physically as well - a good prosthetic limb is not cheap and we will probably have to adapt his home.
"We want to thank everyone for their support so far with the donations - hopefully the financial side of things will be one less thing for him to worry about when he’s recovering."
