A TEENAGER is finally on the road to recovery after an excruciating month-long battle with sepsis.

Sonny Bell spent Christmas, New Years Eve and his 16th birthday in hospital after being rushed in with symptoms of sickness, stomach pains, dizziness, and a decreased appetite.

Shortly after, doctors at Southend Hospital discovered Sonny’s bowel had perforated. As a result he had contracted sepsis and his organs were failing.

His stepdad, Jody Dyson, has barely left Sonny’s side, and has only been home once in the past 30 days.

The 48-year-old from Leigh said: “Just before Christmas we all had a bug, so we just thought he was suffering a bit longer than the rest of us. He had an ECG and his stats were normal. The following day he had excruciating pain which began to move around his body and he began turning yellow, so we took him to Southend Hospital.”

Once the sepsis was diagnosed, he was put into a medically induced coma and taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mr Dyson added: “They put him on a ventilator and drained his stomach. He was like that for two a half weeks, but is now conscious and can partially speak.”

The family want to thank all those who have supported them along the way.

Mr Dyson added: “It’s been a really tough time for us all, I’ve only been home once and his mum Tracy hasn’t been home at all since it all started.

“Poor Sonny also had blood in his chest which caused his lung to collapse. They had to drain three litres of blood from him and cauterize [stem bleeding from] the inside of his chest cavity wall. H his kidneys also completely shut down, but he is now sepsis free and on the mend.”

The family want to raise money for both hospitals, the Children’s Acute Transport Service, which transported Sonny, the Sick Children’s Trust who provided free accommodation near to GOSH, and the UK Sepsis Trust.

To donate to the family’s fundraiser, go to bit.ly/2urSEOz.