A Michigan man is lucky to be alive after he contracted a rare case of strep throat, but he still is facing a life-changing recovery.
Kevin Breen began experiencing symptoms around Christmas. Severe abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms were initially diagnosed as mild pancreatitis, but Breen was not responding to treatment. Doctors, concerned by his rapidly deteriorating condition, performed exploratory surgery and discovered over a liter of pus in his stomach, which tested positive for streptococcal infection. According to a WOOD-TV report, Breen's young son had contracted strep throat around the same time Breen fell ill.
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Doctors told the family that Breen is the second documented male in the world to have strep throat travel from his throat to his stomach, according to the Team Breen GoFundMe campaign page. (Note: images of Breen's condition are graphic, viewer discretion advised.)
The rare case almost cost Breen his life. He went into septic shock, and in order to keep his vital organs alive, doctors gave Breen medication to raise his blood pressure, but the medication caused blood to his extremities to decrease to the point where necrosis occurred. Breen is now facing a quadruple amputation: complete amputation of his left hand, amputation of multiple fingers on the right hand and partial amputation of both his feet.
Breen's family says that while his spirits remain high, the family is facing steep health care bills and financial instability, because Breen was the primary breadwinner. The family is seeking to raise $50,000 to help pay for expenses while Breen goes through rehabilitation.
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