A grandfather who ‘did not like to be any trouble’ ended up on a ventilator fighting for his life with sepsis.
Martin Kew, 63, had felt ill for around a week in August 2021 with cold symptoms and promised his worried daughter to talk to his GP during a routine appointment a week later.
Before he could however, his condition rapidly got worse and he struggled to catch his breath.
He managed to call 111 who recognised his symptoms, including blotchy skin, being sleepier than normal and having breathing difficulty as sepsis and dispatched an ambulance.
The crew arrived just in time as Martin was unresponsive.
Son-in-law Craig Cotterill said: “The ITU staff at Chesterfield Royal have been nothing short of incredible, he wasn’t treated like just a patient, but as an actual person, someone’s dad, grandad and partner.
"The staff at Wythenshawe have also been fantastic, they sought approval for his young granddaughter to visit on Christmas Day, and bought him a Christmas gift.
"We would like to say a huge thank you to both hospitals, we are so very grateful to them for literally saving Martin's life and for all the kindness and compassion they have shown him and us throughout the past six months."
After being taken to hospital Martin was admitted to the intensive therapy unit (ITU) at Chesterfield Royal Hospital where he remained on a ventilator for almost three months.
He was eventually transferred to Wythenshawe hospital which specialises in long-term ventilation patients and has recently managed to come off the ventilator he has been dependent on since August.
Craig and his wife Debbie decided to start a fundraiser to help raise some funds for any equipment for Martin.
Any extra cash will be donated to transforming the Intensive Therapy Unit garden at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, at Martin's request.
Craig added: “It would be so lovely for the ITU staff and patients to have their own little haven in that space as I know just how much it helped Martin's mental health and positive attitude, and helped keep his fighting spirit alive which is why he’s doing so well now."
