Kevin Paul Ducker

On November 21, Kevin was admitted to Bournemouth Hospital with sepsis after suffering from a small cut on the leg. He spent 12 weeks in the hospital, 9 in Bournemouth and 3 in rehabilitation to learn how to walk again.

During his stay in hospital, he was in an induced coma for 3 weeks on a ventilator and kidney dialysis. His kidneys failed completely in intensive care, and the high dependency unit managed luckily to restart them. The consultant told us all to prepare for his death. He was given little chance of recovery. During the induced coma, he suffered a stroke, which left some fingers on his right hand useless.

After the stroke, Kevin’s speech was slurred and his memory nonexistent, his right arm was paralyzed, and he could not walk at all. He had to be lifted by a hoist. He is now home walking with a Zimmer frame, and with good prospects of normal mobility as before. At 39, he had a lucky escape but with one useless finger and thumb.

At 8AM on Saturday, May 25, 2019, Kevin started complaining about feeling breathless and his pulse was 109, oxygen level 64. So, I called the ambulance who immediately rushed to Royal Bournemouth Hospital. There he was x-rayed to see where the infection was.

Anyway, he was put straight onto an oxygen mask, which stayed on until he died on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 9AM.

I am absolutely devastated, I can’t sleep, I am crying all the time. My life is so empty without him.

I would like to leave this as a tribute to Kevin. The infection completely engulfed his whole body, he had no chance of survival. Kevin was a wonderful, true friend. There will never be another Kevin. Thank you, Kevin.

Source: David Edward Walsh (Kevin's carer and friend)