Imagine going to the hospital for a simple flu hindering your favorite sport—football—and ending up labeled “the sickest patient in the country.” That’s what happened to Levi Dewey, an amateur footballer from Derbyshire, England, who sought help for possible pneumonia and ended up with life-altering sepsis.

The Sickest Patient in the Country

In December 2022, Levi Dewey, then 20 and living in the UK, played casual football with friends. Post-match, he felt mild breathing discomfort and flu symptoms. When they persisted, he went to A&E.

Doctors suspected pneumonia, admitting him for evaluation/treatment. But his condition deteriorated rapidly, triggering septic shock and multiple organ failure.

He worsened so fast, medics dubbed him “the sickest patient in the country.” Specialists gave him just 30% survival odds.

Sepsis hit hard—they amputated both legs below the knee. Months later, September 2023, septic arthritis struck his left knee during early recovery, requiring another month’s care.

Before “sickest patient” status, Levi was healthy, Derby County fan playing weekend football. Now, he’s rehabilitating, hoping prosthetics enable walking again.

He says 2024’s toughest challenge: regaining normalcy, re-entering the world after hiding from it—understandably.

Jokingly, his main goal: return to Pride Park Stadium cheering beloved Derby County.

“I’ve been very unlucky, but also very lucky—I wouldn’t be here without hospital staff and support systems. If you’re not mentally prepared, you can end people’s lives. I’ve tried staying positive, thinking it could be worse.”

What is Septic Shock?

Septic shock is a grave medical condition where an infection triggers body-wide extreme inflammation, causing dangerously low blood pressure and multi-organ failure. Bacterial toxins unleash uncontrolled immune response. Levi’s was so aggressive, doctors called him the sickest patient.

Typically from bacterial infections (also viruses/fungi/parasites), common triggers: pneumonia, UTIs, abdominal infections, hospital sepsis. Severe cases form micro-blood clots, starving vital organs of blood.

It starts with sepsis (body’s inflammatory infection response). Untreated, it progresses to septic shock—fluid-unresponsive low BP. Reduced blood flow damages kidneys, liver, lungs, heart.

Consequences devastate: multi-organ failure, often death. Immediate treatment essential: antibiotics, IV fluids, BP meds, sometimes advanced life support. Early/aggressive intervention boosts survival.

After the Ordeal

Though returning to normalcy, Levi’s dad Neil Dewey—father of the country’s sickest patient—knows it’s tough, calling him bravest he knows:

“He’s been incredible. Immensely proud of everything this year. Much pain, many procedures, yet he accepts calmly. Bravest person I know.”

Neil added: truly hard period; Levi/family practically lived in hospital a year. Now, hope for home time together, hospital-free.

GoFundMe raised over $90,000 for sickest patient’s recovery/custom prosthetics once fully healed for walking.

Physio Ganor Venison calls Levi model patient despite sickest label: listens, engages, motivated, realistically meeting expectations.

“As Levi said, ups/downs. Road not easy. Levi met many goals.”

Levi: long journey to now. December 2022: comatose, sickest patient, 30% survival. Desolate tragedy, yet now relearning walking, normal life. If life’s kind, cheering Derby County again.

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