I was completely floored when I first read about this Man who burned his thumb loses both legs story. Seriously—how does a minor cooking mishap spiral into something so devastating? Max Armstrong, 40, was just out in the woods of Kiowa, Colorado, enjoying a camping trip. Next thing he knew, a week later, he woke up from a coma with no legs.
A Simple Burn Becomes a Major Crisis
Max said it all started when he grabbed a hot skillet the wrong way while making pasta. He felt the searing pain but shrugged it off—just another scrape or burn from an active, outdoor life. He treated the burn, then went back to camping. A few days later, though, one leg began swelling. He brushed that off too, thinking maybe he’d twisted an ankle at some point. Turns out, the infection creeping through his thumb was way more serious than he imagined.
Shocking Discoveries at the Hospital
By December 7, his toenails turned purple, and the swelling got much worse. At the hospital, doctors were stunned to see the blackened burn on his thumb—it had become severely infected with strep. Before anyone fully realized what was going on, it led to strep sepsis. Max ended up in a coma for six days. When he finally woke on December 13, doctors told his loved ones he might not make it. It was a near-fatal ordeal.
Man Who Burned His Thumb Loses Both Legs in Surgery
The moment Max realized both of his feet had turned completely black was heartbreaking. He learned they had to amputate both legs on December 23 to save his life, because the infection had already spread too far. He spent a month in the hospital, then another 16 days in rehab. Now, he’s leaning on a wheelchair and focusing on exercises that build arm and shoulder strength—he calls them his “lifeline.” Unfortunately, this man who burned his thumb loses both legs in such a bizarre, tragic twist of fate.
On the Road to Recovery
Max says the emotional toll is just as intense as the physical one. He woke up expecting his legs to be there, only to realize they were gone. Yet, he’s determined to bounce back. Friends and family have rallied behind him, even setting up a GoFundMe to help with medical costs. It’s a stark reminder that life can change in an instant—even when you think you’re dealing with a minor injury.
For anyone wanting to support Max’s recovery, click here.
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Bored Daddy
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