A mother from Co Antrim has shared her heart-wrenching story after losing her husband to sepsis just six days after their wedding. Danielle Webb is speaking out to raise awareness about the deadly condition that claimed the life of her husband, Christopher, in December 2022.
Christopher Webb, 38, began experiencing mild symptoms—sore throat and flu-like discomfort—just one day before their wedding on December 13. Despite feeling unwell, he found the strength to go through with the ceremony, unaware of the fatal infection rapidly taking hold of his body.
“On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, the day before our wedding, Chris started to become unwell at around 6 am with a sore throat and flu-like symptoms. It woke him from his sleep, and he started complaining of a pins and needles sensation in his throat,” Danielle recalled, reports Belfast Live.
Assuming it was the start of a flu, they bought over-the-counter medication. On the day of the wedding, “Chris still wasn’t feeling very well, but he pushed through as best he could and made it to the end of the evening.”
However, his health deteriorated sharply the next day. “He woke with a rattle in his chest and said he felt very sleepy despite having slept all night,” Danielle said. Paramedics initially showed little concern but transported him to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine after observing possible signs of sepsis.
At first, doctors said the condition wasn’t life-threatening. But en route to the hospital, Danielle received a call from a consultant warning that Christopher was extremely ill and would need to be sedated and placed in intensive care.
He was soon diagnosed with septic shock and Toxic Shock Syndrome. His lungs had filled with pneumonia, and he had a bloodstream infection stemming from a strep A infection. His condition rapidly worsened.
With ICU beds unavailable, an operating theatre was converted to provide urgent care. Christopher was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Despite aggressive treatment, his liver and kidneys began to fail. He was placed on dialysis and given medication to support organ function.
Tragically, at 7:40 a.m. on December 19, Christopher went into cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he passed away nearly 40 minutes later.
Danielle now works to raise awareness about the symptoms of sepsis, which often resemble common illnesses like the flu.
“Chris was a very loving man who doted on his family,” she said. “He was an amazing father and husband… I let that love live on in me and Adam and I do the best I can, honouring and remembering Chris along the way.”
