An assistant fire chief with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services is recovering in a Hong Kong hospital after contracting an infection commonly known as flesh-eating disease, forcing the amputation of part of his leg during a family vacation.
Marie Hui says her partner Christopher Won is B次元官网网址渓ucky to be alive, and very grateful for another dayB次元官网网址� after the bout with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection that can start with a seemingly benign scrape, cut or even a bug bite.
In an email, she says the family canB次元官网网址檛 recall Won having any such wounds or bites, but the infection forced the amputation of his leg above the knee on Feb. 15.
Hui says the family suspects the trouble began in Singapore, as Won started feeling symptoms on the way to the airport to fly back to Hong Kong.
She says the couple and their two children will face a challenging road to recovery, but they are B次元官网网址渙ptimisticB次元官网网址� with the support of their family and community.
She says her parents flew to Hong Kong from B.C. to help take care of the coupleB次元官网网址檚 two children while the family waits for Won to be cleared to fly home.
In a post on Instagram, Hui says Won B次元官网网址渁lmost didnB次元官网网址檛 make it out of that operating theatre aliveB次元官网网址� during the amputation, but he and the doctors B次元官网网址渇ought hard.B次元官网网址�
Hui also shared a photo showing Won sitting up in a hospital bed with a bouquet of flowers sent by Vancouver city councillors and Mayor Ken Sim.
A statement from Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry says the department is grateful for the outpouring of support for Won, B次元官网网址渙ne of the strongest, most resilient and committed people we know.B次元官网网址�
Hui also shared a message from Won, saying the support has been B次元官网网址渙verwhelmingB次元官网网址� and he B次元官网网址渃anB次元官网网址檛 wait to come homeB次元官网网址� to thank everyone in person.
A fundraising page set up by a friend of the family says WonB次元官网网址檚 career with the city has spanned more than 20 years, while Hui is B次元官网网址渂elovedB次元官网网址� as an anthem singer for teams including the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps.
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