After experiencing septic shock, a legislator from the United Kingdom lost both of his hands and feet. However, he is now on his way back to work. Additionally, he intends to acquire a new title, that of the “Bionic MP” for the nation.
Craig Mackinlay, a conservative member of U.K. Parliament serving South Thanet, told CBS News partner BBC that he started feeling ill on September 27 last year. After receiving a negative COVID-19 test, he retired to bed. Kati, his pharmacist wife, kept a watch on his condition while he slept. By morning, she was deeply concerned when she was unable to detect a pulse and his arms had turned cold.
Mackinlay stated that his complete body, from “top to bottom,” became “a very strange blue” within half an hour of being admitted to the hospital. He was diagnosed with septic shock and was induced into a coma for a period of just over two weeks.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, septic shock is the “most severe stage of sepsis,” an extreme infection reaction that results in the failure of organs and a “extremely low” blood pressure. Brain damage and gangrene, as well as lung, heart, and kidney failure, are all potential consequences of the potentially catastrophic sepsis stage.
Mackinlay informed the BBC that health care professionals informed Kati that her spouse was “one of the illest people they would ever seen” and had a mere 5% chance of survival. He was able to “almost knock them” when his limbs and legs “had turned black” upon his awakening. Additionally, the sepsis resulted in scarring on his face and jaws, which resulted in the development of some loose teeth.
“I do not possess a medical degree; however, I am aware of the appearance of deceased individuals,” he stated to the BBC. “I was unexpectedly composed in response to the situation.” It is likely that the diverse combination of medications I was taking was the cause.
His hands and feet were amputated on December 1. It was not long before he received prosthetics to replace his missing appendages, a solution that was both welcomed and challenging to adapt to.
He stated, “It was quite horrifying; there was no muscle on them at all.” “You lifted your limb, and you can observe a bone and a small amount of hanging tissue.”
On February 28, Mackinlay successfully executed his initial 20 steps independently after dedicating weeks to developing the requisite musculature and adapting to his new gait.
He stated, “After a relatively brief period, you consider yourself capable of completing this task.” “…walking was my indicator of achievement.”
Nevertheless, it was somewhat more challenging for him to adjust to his new limbs. He stated that “the hands are a genuine loss” even with prosthetics.
“You are unaware of the extent to which you utilize your hands in a variety of activities, such as using your phone, holding the hand of your child, touching your wife, and engaging in gardening.”
However, Mackinlay is not interested in “moaning, lamenting, or feeling down about the things you are unable to do.” Rather, he aspires to be recognized as the “bionic MP” and to contribute to a campaign that raises awareness of sepsis.
“I desire for children to be tugging their parents’ jackets, skirts, or teachers and expressing their desire to see the bionic MP today when they visit Parliament’s exceptional education center,” he stated. “You must maintain a positive attitude and remain optimistic about the tasks you can complete. I discover that there is always something new that I can accomplish on a daily basis.”