A grieving husband has told how his world has "fallen apart" after the sudden death of his wife who only had a "mild cold". Ricky Hill said wife Lindsey had been suffering with a mild cough and cold over the festive period, but they had just put it down to the flu that a number of people also seemed to have.
But Ricky, 41, said Lindsey, who already had a number of health problems, started to get worse, so they called the GP for advice. She was prescribed antibiotics, but Ricky, from Coventry, said his wife continued to deteriorate.
After feeling like something "was not quite right", Ricky decided to call 999 and paramedics decided Lindsey needed to go to hospital for further checks because of her pre-existing health conditions, CoventryLive reports. In a tragic turn of events, Lindsey contracted sepsis while at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) - a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
According to the NHS, sepsis happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs. Ricky was told by medics he needed to prepare for the worst as doctors battled to try and save Lindsey.
Sadly, she died hours later on January 28 at the age of 40. Ricky, who lives in Canley, said his life has fallen apart since his wife passed away.
“Lindsey, my beautiful wife, gained her angel wings on Saturday, January 28 and I sadly lost her,” he said. Paying tribute, he added: "She was one in a billion. She would go into any room and she would light it up.
“If you needed anything, no matter how big or small, if she had it, she would give it to you. If she had her last pound and somebody needed it more than her, she would give it away. She was amazing, there are no other words to describe her.”
Ricky said his wife changed his life after supporting him during some of his toughest moments. Looking up at the sky, he said: “She is the brightest star in the sky.
“She was everything a man could ask for and more. I was homeless, I had nowhere to go and she changed my life.”
Ricky said he has been 'overwhelmed' by the support he has received since the death of his wife Lindsey. A fundraiser to help with funeral costs has currently raised over £1,500. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so by clicking here.
