Woody
Donation protected
Anyone who knows James (Woody) knows he has always been fit and athletic. Since childhood, he played football for Darley Dale Juniors and has enjoyed lots of success whilst playing for both Youlgrave United and Rowsley 86 as an adult.
Since hitting his 30s, he has continued keeping fit - enjoying family hikes, early morning runs and in more recent years cycling - thinking nothing of riding 30-50 miles on a Sunday morning.
For James, like many of us, exercise is more than just about keeping fit. An early morning run or cycle does as much for his mental health and well-being as it does for anything else.
This page is an attempt by friends and loved ones to raise some money for him and his family. After spending a month in hospital, Woody is finally at home, but unfortunately - due to the severity of his condition - will lose fingers, toes and possibly his feet. It’s going to be a long road both physically and mentally, but we want to give him the best shot at getting back out there. Whether it’s physio, prosthetics, therapy or modifications to his home and exercise equipment which enable him to move around more freely, we want to help.
Over the next few months, those close to him will be embarking on various physical challenges in an attempt to raise money. We’re exercising so that one day Woody can too.
We’ll share the link to this page along with the hashtag #sowoodycantoo Please don’t feel like you have to give a lot. A pound. Whatever. It all helps.
We’re also encouraging people to get involved. If you know Woody and want to help, share the link to this page to your socials and, whilst you’re out exercising - use the hashtag #sowoodycantoo
Most of you will know his story by now. If you don’t - please keep reading. Strep A and sepsis can be deadly, and the more awareness we can spread of the signs and symptoms, the better.
James’ Story:
After feeling unwell on Sunday 26th February and spending the day in bed with flu-like symptoms and a sore throat, his condition quickly deteriorated. Feeling cold and restless, struggling to sleep, he decided to run himself a bath in the early hours of Monday morning in an attempt to warm himself up. Luckily, the sound of the water running woke his wife, Linsey, who - after one look at him and noticing his yellowish appearance - immediately called 111. After explaining James’ symptoms, an emergency ambulance was sent.
On arrival of the paramedics, they checked James over and suspected sepsis. Within minutes, he was blue-lighted over to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and rushed straight to resus.
Linsey arrived with him and the consultants explained that James was extremely poorly and that his body was shutting down on him. He was experiencing multiple organ failure - his kidneys and liver had already stopped working and his blood pressure was dangerously low due to the sepsis. His body was going into septic shock.
James’ mum, dad, brother and in-laws all rushed to be by his side (where they’ve remained throughout this entire ordeal) and within hours of being admitted, he was put into an induced coma. James’ organs were all being supported by machines; he was on a ventilator that breathed for him; dialysis to work for his kidneys; and on medication to support his blood pressure. Antibiotics were also being used to try and treat the sepsis.
His blood results came back and suggested that his condition had been caused by Strep A.
A liver transplant was being considered; however, due to his body being so unstable and it being too risky to transport him within the hospital, it was left to the machines to save him.
James was described by NHS staff as being one of the poorliest patients in the country with the odds of survival stacked firmly against him. Hour by hour, updates were given to his family with doctors and nurses working on him through the night.
The first 48 hours of being in intensive care were crucial to James’ recovery. Doctors and nurses did everything they could for him, with the term ‘We’re throwing the kitchen sink at him!’ being used regularly. They did everything they possibly could and as a result his life was saved.
Gradually, after 10 days of being on life support, day-by-day his body would begin to get stronger. He was weaned off the blood pressure support, the dialysis and eventually, following several sedation breaks - the ventilator. This was a huge moment as it meant family and friends could finally get some contact back from him. His eyes began to flicker and then blink; he raised his eyebrows. Each day, he was getting stronger and he was soon nodding his head, moving limbs and becoming more aware of the people around him.
Thankfully, he had no brain damage when he woke up and, once he was strong enough to breathe by himself, he was removed off the ventilator altogether.
After spending a month in hospital, James is now at home and, although sleeping downstairs and having daily visits from community nurses, is back with his family where he belongs.
Family were told that if James hadn't been as young and fit as he was, he wouldn't be here today. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with a heart condition - cardiomyopathy (Laminopathy) resulting in him having an implatable defibrillator and pace maker (ICD) fitted in December 2022. In the short period of recovery between having it fitted and contracting Strep A, he had worked hard to build his fitness back up - cycling 30 miles (a personal milestone in his recovery) the Sunday before being rushed in.
Due to the sepsis infecting his ICD. Consultants agreed that there was no choice but to remove it. Luckily, the surgeon was able to do this during his month in hospital. Once his body is stronger - a new one will be fitted.
Due to the severity of the sepsis affecting him and as a result of the medication used to save his life (the medication prioritised the blood flow to his vital organs) he has suffered damage to his hands and feet and he is likely to lose the majority of his fingers to his knuckles, toes and it is still a waiting game to see if his feet can recover. With the aide of crutches and a zimmer frame, James is walking to the bathroom and is pushing himself each day to move further.
James has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support he has received and is determined to be fit enough to get back on his bike and enjoy the park with his girls whilst watching them grow. Words cannot describe how indebted he is and will always be to the doctors and nurses who saved his life and have helped him so far with his recovery.
A message from James’ wife, Linsey:
We honestly cannot thank everyone enough who has played a part in saving James’ life and his recovery. The NHS staff. From the ambulance crew when they arrived (Fearn & Gary) - they were fantatsic! To all the resus staff, the ITU nurses and doctors who were just a different level. They not only saved James’ life but they kept us all going too & supported us throught his journey in intensive care. All staff who have continued with James’ rehabilitation from there on have also been amazing.
We are just so overwhelmed with the care he has received. James is very optimistic about the future and grateful to be alive after all he has been through. He now has the chance to see his children grow up, which at the darkest of times we didn't think this would be possible. He is showing incredible positivity and is determined to carry on doing the things he loves to do.
If you’ve read this far - thank you. Being aware of his situation will help him in more ways than you could know.
Since hitting his 30s, he has continued keeping fit - enjoying family hikes, early morning runs and in more recent years cycling - thinking nothing of riding 30-50 miles on a Sunday morning.
For James, like many of us, exercise is more than just about keeping fit. An early morning run or cycle does as much for his mental health and well-being as it does for anything else.
This page is an attempt by friends and loved ones to raise some money for him and his family. After spending a month in hospital, Woody is finally at home, but unfortunately - due to the severity of his condition - will lose fingers, toes and possibly his feet. It’s going to be a long road both physically and mentally, but we want to give him the best shot at getting back out there. Whether it’s physio, prosthetics, therapy or modifications to his home and exercise equipment which enable him to move around more freely, we want to help.
Over the next few months, those close to him will be embarking on various physical challenges in an attempt to raise money. We’re exercising so that one day Woody can too.
We’ll share the link to this page along with the hashtag #sowoodycantoo Please don’t feel like you have to give a lot. A pound. Whatever. It all helps.
We’re also encouraging people to get involved. If you know Woody and want to help, share the link to this page to your socials and, whilst you’re out exercising - use the hashtag #sowoodycantoo
Most of you will know his story by now. If you don’t - please keep reading. Strep A and sepsis can be deadly, and the more awareness we can spread of the signs and symptoms, the better.
James’ Story:
After feeling unwell on Sunday 26th February and spending the day in bed with flu-like symptoms and a sore throat, his condition quickly deteriorated. Feeling cold and restless, struggling to sleep, he decided to run himself a bath in the early hours of Monday morning in an attempt to warm himself up. Luckily, the sound of the water running woke his wife, Linsey, who - after one look at him and noticing his yellowish appearance - immediately called 111. After explaining James’ symptoms, an emergency ambulance was sent.
On arrival of the paramedics, they checked James over and suspected sepsis. Within minutes, he was blue-lighted over to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and rushed straight to resus.
Linsey arrived with him and the consultants explained that James was extremely poorly and that his body was shutting down on him. He was experiencing multiple organ failure - his kidneys and liver had already stopped working and his blood pressure was dangerously low due to the sepsis. His body was going into septic shock.
James’ mum, dad, brother and in-laws all rushed to be by his side (where they’ve remained throughout this entire ordeal) and within hours of being admitted, he was put into an induced coma. James’ organs were all being supported by machines; he was on a ventilator that breathed for him; dialysis to work for his kidneys; and on medication to support his blood pressure. Antibiotics were also being used to try and treat the sepsis.
His blood results came back and suggested that his condition had been caused by Strep A.
A liver transplant was being considered; however, due to his body being so unstable and it being too risky to transport him within the hospital, it was left to the machines to save him.
James was described by NHS staff as being one of the poorliest patients in the country with the odds of survival stacked firmly against him. Hour by hour, updates were given to his family with doctors and nurses working on him through the night.
The first 48 hours of being in intensive care were crucial to James’ recovery. Doctors and nurses did everything they could for him, with the term ‘We’re throwing the kitchen sink at him!’ being used regularly. They did everything they possibly could and as a result his life was saved.
Gradually, after 10 days of being on life support, day-by-day his body would begin to get stronger. He was weaned off the blood pressure support, the dialysis and eventually, following several sedation breaks - the ventilator. This was a huge moment as it meant family and friends could finally get some contact back from him. His eyes began to flicker and then blink; he raised his eyebrows. Each day, he was getting stronger and he was soon nodding his head, moving limbs and becoming more aware of the people around him.
Thankfully, he had no brain damage when he woke up and, once he was strong enough to breathe by himself, he was removed off the ventilator altogether.
After spending a month in hospital, James is now at home and, although sleeping downstairs and having daily visits from community nurses, is back with his family where he belongs.
Family were told that if James hadn't been as young and fit as he was, he wouldn't be here today. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with a heart condition - cardiomyopathy (Laminopathy) resulting in him having an implatable defibrillator and pace maker (ICD) fitted in December 2022. In the short period of recovery between having it fitted and contracting Strep A, he had worked hard to build his fitness back up - cycling 30 miles (a personal milestone in his recovery) the Sunday before being rushed in.
Due to the sepsis infecting his ICD. Consultants agreed that there was no choice but to remove it. Luckily, the surgeon was able to do this during his month in hospital. Once his body is stronger - a new one will be fitted.
Due to the severity of the sepsis affecting him and as a result of the medication used to save his life (the medication prioritised the blood flow to his vital organs) he has suffered damage to his hands and feet and he is likely to lose the majority of his fingers to his knuckles, toes and it is still a waiting game to see if his feet can recover. With the aide of crutches and a zimmer frame, James is walking to the bathroom and is pushing himself each day to move further.
James has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support he has received and is determined to be fit enough to get back on his bike and enjoy the park with his girls whilst watching them grow. Words cannot describe how indebted he is and will always be to the doctors and nurses who saved his life and have helped him so far with his recovery.
A message from James’ wife, Linsey:
We honestly cannot thank everyone enough who has played a part in saving James’ life and his recovery. The NHS staff. From the ambulance crew when they arrived (Fearn & Gary) - they were fantatsic! To all the resus staff, the ITU nurses and doctors who were just a different level. They not only saved James’ life but they kept us all going too & supported us throught his journey in intensive care. All staff who have continued with James’ rehabilitation from there on have also been amazing.
We are just so overwhelmed with the care he has received. James is very optimistic about the future and grateful to be alive after all he has been through. He now has the chance to see his children grow up, which at the darkest of times we didn't think this would be possible. He is showing incredible positivity and is determined to carry on doing the things he loves to do.
If you’ve read this far - thank you. Being aware of his situation will help him in more ways than you could know.
Organizer and beneficiary
Friends Of Woody
Organizer
England
James Wood
Beneficiary