Dad was left unrecognizable after losing his lips and four limbs to flesh-eating bacteria – This is what he looks like today

The life story of Alex Lewis is like no other. This man refused to give up on his life no matter what it took, and today, he’s thriving with the help of his loving wife Lucy Townsend, and their son.

Alex and Lucy always knew they were meant for each other. When they married and welcomed their son Sam into their life, they felt like the happiest couple on Earth. But then in 2013, around the time Sam turned two, this family’s life took a different turn.

Both Alex and Sam caught the flu, or at least they believed so. However, as the boy got better in a short period of time, Alex wasn’t feeling fine even days after he experienced the flu-like symptoms.

“Because we owned and lived in a pub and came into contact with lots of different people, I assumed it was a seasonal cold and thought it started off as man flu,” Alex told Metro.

Instead of improving, his condition worsened and he became feverish and noticed blood in his urine.
As he could feel something was very wrong, he went to the hospital where doctors told him he contracted a streptococcal infection (type A). Unfortunately, at that point, the infection penetrated deep into the tissue and the organs and caused sepsis. Alex had contracted shock syndrome, septicemia, and necrotizing fascitis – and his body was attacking itself from the inside out.

“I called an ambulance, and within eight minutes, they were there. At the hospital, we went straight into resuscitation, and I was told to say goodbye. His kidneys were shutting down, and they were going to put him on life support,” his wife Lucy told The Guardian.

Doctors’ prognoses were dull. They told the family there was just a three percent chance that Alex would survive as his face and body turned black.

“They were going to turn my life support off, but they wanted to give me one more night to see if I improved, and they wanted to give my family a chance to say goodbye,” Alex told Metro.

“I cannot imagine what Lucy and my mum were going through.

“Having spoken to them since it happened, I think they were more in shock as they couldn’t believe something so incredibly invasive was happening so quickly,” he added.

“I don’t remember being in excruciating pain at this point, but my family remembers seeing me in absolute agony.”

It was determined that a flesh-eating bacteria was poisoning his body so doctors had to amputate his left arm up to the elbow. Sadly, as months passed by, Alex lost all of his limbs, and doctors were also forced to cut parts of his face in order to save his life.

“I can remember seeing my legs in hospital and how they were getting blacker and blacker,” Alex told The Guardian. “The blackness was creeping up towards my waist. I don’t remember seeing my left arm in that condition, but I can remember my legs vividly.”

As Alex lost his lips, plastic surgeon Alexandra Crick took skin from his shoulder in an attempt to fix his mouth.
“It would take me about an hour to eat a sandwich at night, and that was with the help of the nurse,” he told the Daily Mail.

“The last available skin for surgery was on my shoulder,” he explained. “So they replaced the temporary flap with that. All my other skin had to be used for grafts or was scarred.”

“Having my bottom and top lip done at the same time like this was a world first. It’s one piece of skin, and it was like if you imagine placing a bag in your mouth and then sewing around the edges. After the original operation, I had to have them every three or four months.”

Looking at his father, and how different he was, Sam was afraid to approach closer to him, but Lucy found a way to explain to him why his dad looked like that, which wasn’t easy as Sam was just two years old at the time.

After spending months at the hospital Alex could finally go home. The good thing was that doctors managed to save the elbow of his right arm which allowed him to have a prosthetic and be able to use his arm. Eventually, he could speak again as his lip surgery was a huge success.

“That one elbow is his whole independence,” Lucy said.

“I had to relearn everything,” Alex added. “From learning to eat, drink, put my clothes on, to learn to use a prosthesis, and to self propel a manual wheelchair.”

Today, Alex is involved in a number of tech projects which help ease the lives of disabled people. Among the rest, he has tested solar-powered, battery-assisted four-wheeled handles which have been designed by masters students at Southampton University.

Despite his condition, he’s living a quality life and is doing a lot of things, such as kayaking and climbing. In 2019, he climbed one of Africa’s tallest mountains using a specially adapted buggy.

“Since becoming an amputee, I’ve been fortunate enough to try out a number of training methods to keep my fitness up, working with physios and visiting the Help for Heroes training facilities,” he shared with Sports Management.

“I’ve had first-rate guidance, but nothing has been as effective as EMS training, especially in such a short space of time.

“It’s amazing how the machine helps me to engage muscles I haven’t felt since I lost my arms and legs,” he added.

“I feel stronger in training, daily life tasks are easier, and I’ve gained greater confidence that I can take on these challenges.”

His Wild Wheelchairs Project, besides helping improve the lives of disabled people, raises money to finance the construction and operation of a wheelchair manufacturing facility in Ethiopia.

Alex is also a motivational speaker who is happy with his life.
“I’ve lived more of a life in the past four years than I did in the previous 33, and it’s made me realize how much I love Lucy and Sam,” he told Metro.

“There was so much I regretted not doing when I had arms and legs, but I am not letting that happen again. I would not change anything, not in a heartbeat.”

Sam also learned to love his dad for who he is and is proud of him.

We truly admire this brave man’s resilience. His story is proof that no matter the curveballs life throws at us, we should always do our best to end up winners.

I Found 3 Trash Bags in My Brother and SIL’s Basement – What Was Inside Shocked Me

Seven months pregnant, I agreed to house-sit for my brother and his wife while they vacationed. One afternoon, I stumbled across three mysterious trash bags in the basement. What I found inside made me run for my life and haunts me to this day.

“Run, faster, faster, Celina,” a voice screamed in my head as I stumbled through the dense woods behind my brother’s mansion. Seven months pregnant, I gasped for air, one hand clutching my swollen belly, the other pushing away branches that scratched at my face…

A woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

A woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

The next bus stop was just beyond these trees. How could I have been so blind? So trusting?

I glanced down at my trembling hands, sticky with drying blood. Wiping them on my dress, I whispered, “We’re safe, my baby. We’re safe. Someone will get us home.”

It all started two weeks ago…

I was curled up on the couch, scrolling through my phone when it buzzed with an incoming call. My brother Victor’s name flashed on the screen.

A smartphone with the screen flashing with an incoming call | Source: Midjourney

A smartphone with the screen flashing with an incoming call | Source: Midjourney

“Hey, big bro! What’s up?” I answered, trying to sound cheerful despite the tension that had been building between us lately.

“Celina! How’s my favorite sister?” Victor’s voice boomed through the speaker. “Listen, I’ve got a huge favor to ask. Anne and I are heading out of town for a week. A friend’s wedding plus a little vacation. Any chance you or Paul could house-sit for us?”

Before I could respond, I heard rustling and then my sister-in-law Anne’s voice came on the line.

“Oh, Celina, you’ll love staying here! Don’t worry about a thing, sweetie. The house practically runs itself.”

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

I hesitated, thinking about the cold shoulder Anne had been giving me lately.

Our relationship had become increasingly strained over the past year, ever since Paul’s business took off and our financial situation improved dramatically.

Meanwhile, Victor had faced a string of failed ventures, and I could see the toll it was taking on him and Anne.

Portrait of an upset couple | Source: Midjourney

Portrait of an upset couple | Source: Midjourney

The last straw seemed to be my pregnancy announcement. While the rest of the family had been overjoyed, Anne’s reaction was lukewarm at best.

She didn’t even bother to show up for the gender reveal party, citing being “too busy” when I called to ask why she’d missed it.

I knew it was a lie. Anne and Victor had been trying for years to conceive, with no success due to some health issues she faced. My easy pregnancy seemed to be salt in her wounds.

A gender reveal party | Source: Midjourney

A gender reveal party | Source: Midjourney

There was also the incident last month when Anne hosted a party to celebrate Victor finally landing a big contract. Paul and I weren’t invited, and when I politely confronted her about it later, she brushed it off with a flimsy excuse about “limited space.”

The hurt and confusion I felt then still lingered.

But now, here she was, asking me to house-sit. Was this her way of extending an olive branch? Maybe she was finally ready to move past her jealousy and resentment.

A woman lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney

A woman lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney

Despite my reservations, I found myself wanting to believe that this could be a turning point in our relationship.

“Sure, I’d be happy to,” I said, hope creeping into my voice. “When do you need me?”

“Morning, eight, yeah?”

“Alright, I’ll be there.”

As I hung up, my husband Paul walked in, his brow furrowing as he took in my expression.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

A concerned man smiling | Source: Midjourney

A concerned man smiling | Source: Midjourney

I explained the situation, watching as concern clouded his features.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he asked gently. “Things have been tense with Anne lately.”

I sighed, rubbing my belly absently. “I know, but maybe this is her way of trying to patch things up? Besides, it might be nice to get away for a bit before the baby comes.”

Paul didn’t look convinced, his brow furrowing with worry.

A worried man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A worried man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

“I wish I could join you, but I’ve got those crucial client meetings all week,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Are you absolutely sure about this, darling?”

I nodded, trying to project more confidence than I felt. “It’ll be fine, honey. I can handle it.”

Paul didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Alright, if you’re sure. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

I leaned in, kissing him softly. “I promise. I’ll be fine.”

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

The following morning, I stood outside Victor and Anne’s mansion, waving goodbye to Paul as he drove away after dropping me.

My brother and sister-in-law emerged, suitcases in hand.

“Celina!” Victor swept me into a gentle hug, keeping a distance from my bulging belly. “Thanks again for doing this. We really appreciate it.”

Silhouette of a woman standing outside a mansion | Source: Midjourney

Silhouette of a woman standing outside a mansion | Source: Midjourney

Anne’s smile seemed forced as she air-kissed my cheek.

“Yes, thank you,” she said, her voice overly sweet. “Everything you need is inside. We’ve got to run to the airport. Have a great week, darling!”

And just like that, they were gone, leaving me alone in the massive house.

A worried woman in a mansion | Source: Midjourney

A worried woman in a mansion | Source: Midjourney

I wandered from room to room, feeling oddly out of place.

My phone buzzed with a text from Paul: “Miss you already. Call if you need anything. Love you both. 😘

I smiled, replying quickly before settling onto the couch. As night fell, the house seemed to grow larger and emptier.

The taxidermied animals on the walls seemed to stare back at me, intensifying the feeling that I was being watched.

A pregnant woman sitting amid an eerie display of taxidermied animals | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting amid an eerie display of taxidermied animals | Source: Midjourney

Three days passed in a blur of Netflix binges and long naps.

On the fourth morning, I decided to be a little productive. After my daily call with Paul, I cleaned the kitchen and headed to the basement to check on the furnace.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, my eyes fell on three large garbage bags tucked in a corner.

“Weird,” I muttered. “Anne must’ve forgotten to take these out.”

Three fully-loaded trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

Three fully-loaded trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

I snapped a quick picture, sending it to her with a joking message: “Forgot something? Don’t worry, I’ve got trash duty covered!😉”

Seconds later, my phone exploded with notifications. A text from Anne read: “DON’T TOUCH THEM! SERIOUSLY, GET OUT OF OUR BASEMENT! NOW.”

Before I could process her reaction, she called.

I answered, confused. “Anne? What’s wrong?”

“Celina, listen to me,” she hissed. “Get out of the basement. Now. Don’t look in those bags. Just go upstairs and pretend you never saw them.”

A woman gaping in shock as she holds her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman gaping in shock as she holds her phone | Source: Midjourney

“But—”

“Just Go. Please.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, backing away. “I’m leaving now.”

I hung up, my heart pounding. What could possibly be in those bags that would make Anne react like that?

Despite every instinct screaming at me to run, curiosity won out.

An alarmed pregnant woman standing against the backdrop of trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

An alarmed pregnant woman standing against the backdrop of trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

I approached the nearest bag, my hands shaking as I untied the knot.

As I pulled it open, the bag tore and the contents spilled out onto the floor. The moment my eyes registered what lay before me, my blood turned to ice in my veins.

Ritual tools. Decayed chicken bones and feathers. And voodoo dolls. Dozens of crude, handmade dolls, each bearing a photo of MY FACE. Many were stained with a dark, reddish-brown substance and reeked of rot. The stench of decay filled the air, making my stomach churn.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, stumbling backward. “Oh my God, oh my God. This can’t be—”

A voodoo doll with a woman's picture on it | Source: Midjourney

A voodoo doll with a woman’s picture on it | Source: Midjourney

I fumbled for my phone, dialing Paul with trembling fingers.

“Baby,” I choked out when he answered. “I need you to come get me. Now.”

“Celina, breathe,” Paul’s voice crackled through the speaker. “What happened?”

A terrified woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

A terrified woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

I tried to explain between gasps, my words tumbling out in a panicked jumble.

“Bags in the basement… voodoo dolls with my face… blood… Paul, I think Anne’s been trying to curse our baby!”

“Jesus Christ,” Paul muttered. “Okay, listen to me. Get out of that house right now. Don’t wait for me, just go to the bus stop on the main road. I’m on my way.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I raced up the stairs, pausing only to grab my purse before bolting out the front door. The woods behind the house offered a shortcut to the road, and I plunged in without hesitation.

A frightened woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

A frightened woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

Branches whipped at my face as I ran, my pregnant belly making it hard to maneuver. I could hear my ragged breathing, punctuated by the snapping of twigs beneath my feet.

Finally, I burst out onto the road, the bus stop just a few yards away. I collapsed onto the bench, gulping in air, my hands and clothes smeared with dirt and blood from my frantic flight through the woods.

Paul’s car screeched to a halt in front of me minutes later. He leapt out, rushing to my side. “Celina! Are you okay? The baby?”

A startled man gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

A startled man gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

I nodded weakly, allowing him to help me into the car. As we sped away, I recounted everything I’d seen in a shaky voice.

Paul’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel. “I knew we shouldn’t have trusted them,” he muttered. “Especially not Anne. The way she’s been acting lately…”

“I can’t believe she’d do this,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “My own sister-in-law… how could she hate me this much?”

Paul reached over, squeezing my hand. “We’ll figure this out, I promise. For now, let’s just get you home and safe.”

A shocked woman holding her face | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman holding her face | Source: Midjourney

The next few days passed in a haze of fear and disbelief.

Anne called repeatedly, but Paul insisted I shouldn’t speak to her until Victor returned. When they finally got back from their trip, I steeled myself for the confrontation.

We met at a neutral location, a quiet café downtown. Victor looked confused and concerned as I recounted what I’d found, while Anne’s face cycled through shock, anger, and finally, defeat.

A shocked young man | Source: Midjourney

A shocked young man | Source: Midjourney

“Is this true?” Victor demanded, turning to his wife. “Have you been… what, practicing witchcraft against my sister?”

Anne’s shoulders slumped. “I… I was jealous,” she whispered. “Your sister got everything so easily… the perfect husband, the thriving business, the baby. I just wanted what she had.”

Victor recoiled in horror. “This is insane, Anne. You need help.”

An alarmed woman looking at a man | Source: Midjourney

An alarmed woman looking at a man | Source: Midjourney

“I’m so sorry,” Anne sobbed, reaching for my hand. I pulled away, shaking my head.

“Sorry isn’t enough. You tried to hurt my baby. I can never forgive that.”

In the weeks that followed, our family splintered. Victor filed for divorce, unable to reconcile with Anne’s actions. My parents were devastated, torn between their children and the shocking betrayal.

As for me, I struggled to shake off the fear and paranoia that had taken root. Every unexplained noise, every twinge in my belly sent me into a panic.

Paul was my rock, holding me through tearful nights and accompanying me to every doctor’s appointment to ensure our baby was healthy.

A sad woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A sad woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

Slowly, life began to normalize. But as I sat in our nursery, folding tiny onesies and dreaming of the future, I couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of unease.

My phone buzzed with a text from a friend: “How are you holding up?”

I typed out a response, trying to put my jumbled thoughts into words: “Still processing everything. It’s hard to believe someone so close could betray us like that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t blindly trust someone just because you know them. Terror can strike from unexpected places, even from those closest to you. Stay safe out there.🙏🏻

I set down my phone, resting a hand on my belly. Our daughter kicked, strong and healthy despite everything. “We’re okay, little one,” I whispered. “We always will be.”

A woman holding her baby bump | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding her baby bump | Source: Midjourney

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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