A woman has told how her brother died from sepsis 36 hours after complaining of having a runny nose.
Kami Leatherbarrow, 31, described how she prepared her younger sibling Rhys his favourite meal of chicken and chips to cheer him up when he became unwell.
But the family were unaware sepsis was shutting down Rhys’ body and would soon prove deadly.
Rhys, from Golborne, near Wigan, was aged just 28 when he passed away in hospital.
Multi-organ failure caused by pneumonia and two cardiac arrests was found to be the cause of death.
Kami spoke of the tragedy to the Manchester Evening News and told how Rhys’ health suddenly deteriorated.
She said Rhys, who had autism and was registered blind, had woken up “happy and giggly” and seemed “healthy, fit and well”, adding: “There was nothing out of the ordinary.”
Kami said: “He came home and complained of a headache and sniffly nose. We gave him two paracetamols and said he could stay home from adult services which he was happy about.
“The next day, after I gave him some chicken and chips, I saw his bedroom door was open. I thought, ‘He’s eaten that quick’. I went in and he collapsed on me, I shouted my friend and I literally had to drag him to his bed so I could get him in a safe position.”
Rhys was rushed to hospital. He suffered two cardiac arrests and was placed on life support within two hours of his arrival.
As his condition worsened, Rhys’ family, including Kami, mum Janis and dad John, were asked by doctors to come to his bedside.
Kami said: “They took us into the family room and spoke to us and said all his organs were shutting down.
“Within six hours, he passed. It was so sudden but so shocking at the same time.
“We weren’t expecting it. We only thought he was going to hospital to get some antibiotics. [Janis and John] are broken – they can’t put it into words.
“This was a shock to myself and his mum, dad and other family members and friends. Rhys was a happy, loving young man. He loved being around people and making them laugh – most of all getting his sister into trouble.”
Rhys, who loved going to the cinema and was a big fan of Disney – particularly the character Tinkerbell - was described as “cheeky, mischievous and witty” . He died on December 23.
Kami said: “He touched a big part of everyone’s lives. I couldn’t fault the hospital at all; they accepted all of his needs and understood everything. He got every bit of care he could have.
“It was a very sudden and quick loss. From falling ill to passing, it was less than 36 hours. We are literally in a daze.”
Rhys’ funeral was held at St. Thomas Church in Golborne on Wednesday. A Gofundme fundraiser has been set up to help the family pay for the costs.
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