6 days ago
Our Austin, 13, complained of leg cramps after sports camp – hours later we were kissing him goodbye as he lay in a coma
HEARTBROKEN parents kissed their 13-year-old boy goodbye as he lay in a coma, just hours after he complained of a "leg cramp" from sports camp.
Austin Hunter, from Rusper, West Sussex, mentioned he had sore legs last June, after he finished a series of sports camps.
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Parents Warwick, 44, and Holly, 45, initially thought the pain was just due to overexertion.
But then Austin's heartrate skyrocketed to 120bpm and his fingertips turned blue - they called 111 and were told to rush him to A&E.
Austin was admitted to East Surrey Hospital at 6pm and by 10pm his parents were told he may not make it.
Warwick and Holly were forced to say goodbye to their son, then 12, as he was placed into an induced coma and rushed to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Warwick, a chartered surveyor, said: "It was the unimaginable. I really thought we had lost him.
"I kissed his forehead goodbye - as did his mum. And I just sat in that waiting room thinking about how we'd break the news to his sister.
"I just couldn't believe the speed of it. At 6pm, Austin had walked into A&E by himself. By 10pm, we were kissing him goodbye."
Austin was diagnosed with a serious complication of a Strep A infection - where bacteria had made its way into his bloodstream.
This led to sepsis and multiple organ failure, with both his liver and kidneys shutting down.
Doctors said it would likely be too much for his heart to handle, but Austin, still in a coma, kept fighting and eventually stabilised.
I thought I had a winter cold then I woke from a coma about to lose my legs
A slow road to recovery began, during which time Austin underwent multiple surgeries as part of attempts to save his limbs.
But his left leg, which had turned black, could not be saved - and it was amputated in August.
In December, Austin underwent another operation in the hopes of saving his right leg.
However, he was still in severe pain after, and was told his chances of being able to run on his foot were slim.
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Austin, a keen sportsman, had to consider what he wanted out of life - and decided he would rather become a double amputee if it meant he could play sports again.
Now, Austin has been fitted with prosthetic limbs - and is trying his hand at everything.
He has tried rock climbing, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair golf, and is even being trained by former Paralympian Rachel Morris, who won a gold medal for rowing in 2016.
Warwick said: "When asked to name one of their heroes, I don't think many dads would name their son, but I genuinely do. Austin's approach to life is just unbelievable.
"I think that lots of people, if in his position, would be really down in the dumps, but he just wants to push forward.
"His mental fortitude has been incredible. He never says he can't or won't do something - he always says he'll try.
"He's an inspiration."
'Incredibly frightening'
Warwick said one of the most shocking things about Austin's illness was the speed with which he deteriorated.
This has pushed the family to share his story to raise awareness for sepsis - and get people talking about symptoms and treatment.
He said: "Austin started to complain of leg cramps - which hopped around from his left calf, to his right thigh, to his left knee, to his right calf.
"It wasn't that consistent, but when it was there, he was in a lot of discomfort and pain.
"He then started feeling tired and lethargic, and it got to the point where he was completely wiped out, just in bed.
"We took him to the GP and were told he needed to rest and stay hydrated.
"But we realised it was a lot more serious than that when his resting heartrate got to 120bpm and his fingertips and ears started turning blue.
"He walked into hospital himself but soon after was hooked up to various wires and monitors.
I had accepted that we were going to lose him. I knew that June 19 would be the date we'd remember forever. But suddenly it was June 20 and he was upstairs and he was still fighting
Warwick Hunter
"He turned very pale and started to sweat profusely.
"It was incredibly frightening but Austin was still relatively calm and was even making jokes with the staff.
"But then his heartrate reached 180bpm and doctors said they had to put him into a coma to stabilise him.
"They said it was unlikely he would make it - and that we should say goodbye."
A terrifying night ensued but by 6am Warwick and Holly were told Austin was no longer "at immediate risk of death".
They both tried to get a short bout of sleep, and when Warwick woke up, he felt as if he'd been in a "nightmare".
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) – is also known as Streptococcus pyogenes - and is a bacteria that can cause mild illnesses like sore throats and skin infections, including tonsillitis cellulitis, impetigo and scarlet fever.
In rare cases, the bacteria can trigger the life-threatening illness, invasive group A Strep disease.
Guidance from the NHS states that there are four key signs of invasive disease:
fever (a high temperature above 38°C (100.4°F)
severe muscle aches
localised muscle tenderness
redness at the site of a wound
Invasive disease happens when the bacteria break through the body's immune defences.
It can happen if you're already ill or have a weakened immune system.
Two of the most severe examples of invasive disease are necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
You're at increased risk of Group Strep A invasive disease if you:
are in close contact with someone who has the disease
are over the age of 65
are diabetic, have heart disease or cancer
have recently had chickenpox
have HIV
use some steroids or intravenous drugs, according to the NHS.
Group Strep A bacteria can also cause scarlet fever, which can be serious if it's not treated with antibiotics.
He said: "I felt like I'd had the most vivid nightmare imaginable.
"But bizarrely, I was also hit with this moment of euphoria.
"The day before, I had accepted that we were going to lose him. I knew that June 19 would be the date we'd remember forever.
"But suddenly it was June 20 and he was upstairs and he was still fighting.
"So I just thought: 'You can't panic. You can't be distraught.' "Instead, you need to go upstairs and see him and help him through his journey.
"Together we can see what's achievable."
Incredible strength
Austin spent three months in the Evelina's ICU, a month in the critical care unit, and then another three months on a ward.
In August, it was decided his left leg had to be amputated - as it had deteriorated too far and risked poisoning the rest of his body.
Warwick said: "What was incredible about that situation was that Austin immediately thought, 'This needs to go.' "He took the approach that it was no longer his foot - and instead something on his body that was poisoning him.
"Holly and I knew we had to tell his sister, Georgina, but Austin turned around and said, 'I'll tell her. Then she'll understand that I'm okay with it.'
"It was just so thoughtful. He was dealing with a hell of a lot and he still considered others.
"Watching your then 12-year-old son tell your then 10-year-old daughter he was going to lose his leg with such emotional intelligence was just incredible."
It was hoped that Austin's other leg would be saved but his recovery proved challenging.
He ultimately decided to become an elective double amputee - at the age of 13.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
A weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Warwick said: "His leg was still incredibly painful and the chances of success in terms of being able to run and jump were minimal.
"It got to the point where the doctors said: 'We can save your foot but you'll have to walk with a stick.'
"And I think his love of sports just took over. He had to think about what he wanted out of life and he thought he'd rather sacrifice his foot and become a double amputee - and see what's achievable.
"While he was in hospital he had been watching the Paralympics and that was a huge inspiration. He had this idea of what his life could look like.
"And when I asked him how he felt, he said the second amputation was a lot easier mentally. Because it was his choice."
Since Austin's diagnosis, he and his family have been working with Sepsis Trust UK to raise awareness for the condition.
They have also been fundraising for the charities who helped and supported Austin via a GoFundMe - and recently handed over a £50,000 cheque to Evelina Hospital.
Dr Ron Daniels, Founder and Chief Medical Officer at the UK Sepsis Trust, said: "Sepsis is indiscriminate: it primarily affects very young children and older adults, and is also more common in people with underlying health conditions.
"But it can sometimes be triggered in those who are otherwise fit and healthy, like Austin.
"Austin's resilience and positive outlook is truly inspiring, and we're hugely grateful for his commitment to raising awareness of this life-changing condition."
You can donate to Austin's GoFundMe here.
Learn more about symptoms of sepsis and how to get help here.
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