21-year-old double amputee Levi thanks 'amazing' Royal Derby Hospital staff as he continues his recovery
A patient has thanked colleagues at Royal Derby Hospital for their ongoing care after reflecting on his journey following a sudden illness which resulted in him having both legs amputated below the knee in December 2022.
21-year-old Levi Dewey, from Willington in Derbyshire, was admitted to hospital last year with flu-like symptoms and breathing difficulties, but his condition rapidly deteriorated and he contracted pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis and after being placed into an induced coma, was told both of his legs would need to be amputated.
However, 12 months on from his first admission to hospital, Levi has praised colleagues who have been involved in his ongoing care as his continues in his recovery and progressing with the use of prosthetic legs.
Reflecting back to 2022 when he fell ill, Levi said he knew he was unwell but did not realise the severity of his situation and gave unreserved thanks to those that have supported him in the past year.
He said: "When I was first ill, I felt awful but I obviously didn’t realise how bad it was. Then I was admitted to hospital on 7 December 2022 and I didn't wake up until after Christmas - it was such a blur.
"When you are going through it you just focus on making it through but now when I sit back and reflect it does hit me really hard.
"But as much as the last year has been terrible, the levels of care I have received and the people I have met here have been amazing. I love all the staff here to pieces - they have gone above and beyond for me and I can't thank them enough."
After being admitted to Royal Derby Hospital, it was discovered that Levi had influenza B and pneumococcal pneumonia, but his body then went into septic shock and his organs began to fail.
Levi was then transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where he was placed on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), which provides life support and keeps blood moving through the body and a healthy level of blood gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.
He spent two weeks in an induced coma until his condition gradually improved and, after 31 days, he was taken off a ventilator before being transferred back to Royal Derby Hospital on 9 January 2023. It was then that he was told that due to the severity of the sepsis he contracted that he would lose both of his legs below the knee.
Since then Levi has endured "lots of ups and downs" but he has made great strides in his recovery thanks to the support and care of the Amputee Rehabilitation team. Now, he is aiming to achieve his next goal and get back to Pride Park Stadium in his designated seat to watch his beloved Derby County Football Club.
Ganor Venison is a Senior Physiotherapist who has been helping Levi throughout his recovery and says despite the challenges he has faced, he is progressing well, serving as an inspiration to the team and fellow amputees.
She said: "I met Levi before he had his amputations, and I spent a lot of time talking with him and his family trying to negate any fears and anxieties they had. We discussed short term plans and expectations like getting home, whether he would be able to walk or drive and since then, it has been a tough journey for Levi but he has met a lot of his goals.
"He is a star and an inspiration to many people. It's been a joy to see him overcome so much already."
Levi acknowledged the challenges he has overcome, and those that still lie ahead, but said the help and support of the team at Royal Derby Hospital is helping him to stay optimistic about his future:
"It is a tough journey and it can often feel like you take two steps forward and one step back, so I always try to be as realistic as possible and not fill myself with too much hope as I know how fast things can change."
Levi's father, Neil, echoed his son's praise for the teams, saying the progress that has been made for since last year has been amazing to see and they are now looking forward to spending Christmas together as a family.
Neil said: "Last year I thought we had lost him. When he was admitted, the clinicians said they would do the best they could and everything happened so fast. But to look at him now and see how far he has come is just incredible - he makes me so proud."
Levi's story will feature on ITV Central News on Friday 22 December 2023 at around 6pm.