Doctors have been forced to amputate the legs of a 3-year-old boy 72 hours after they started ‘aching’ during a trip to IKEA.
Romeo Hadley was shopping with his mother when he started to complain about the pains in his legs.
When Romeo and his mum, Katie, returned to their home in Cardiff she noticed purple bruising had appeared on his legs and bottom.
Terrified that her son had contracted meningitis, Katie, 43, rushed her son to hospital.
Doctors soon discovered that he was suffering from a rare illness called Purpura Fulminans.
The condition causes blood vessels to clot within the skin and can often be fatal.
Luckily, doctors were able to treat little Romeo, but sadly at the cost of his legs.
Both of the 3-year-olds lower limbs were amputated from above the knee in order to save his life.
Katie told The Mirror: We were told by doctors that he had a huge fight on his hands.
“It was heartbreaking. We just kept vigil by his bedside praying that he would pull through.”
She then explained that Romeo was upset when he discovered that he had lost his legs, but the brave little boy found a positive side to his ordeal.
“He smiled and told me that at least I didn’t have to cut his toenails anymore. That’s something he’d always hated having done,” Katie said.
What a courageous little man!
Romeo's family and friends have since set up a GoFund me page to help with his recovery.