// BBC HEALTH NEWS — SALUTE
I almost died after a toothache led to sepsis and a rare heart condition
"It's a miracle that I'm still here," says Danny Ellis
What seemed like a simple case of toothache led to a rare heart condition, sepsis and doctors believing Danny Ellis had just a 1% chance of survival.
The 42-year-old from Llanrwst in Conwy county began experiencing tooth pain in April, and went to the dentist where he was given antibiotics.
But the pain kept returning and it was not until he was left with red marks on his body that he was finally rushed to hospital.
Doctors told him it was a "miracle" he was still alive after an initial heart operation failed, and he suffered a series of strokes - but he pulled through against the odds.
The recovery process will continue for at least another 12 months, Danny said, and he will likely be on medication for the rest of his life, but little milestones are getting him through.
"At the moment, I'm able to take my daughter to school, and that's enough for now," he said.
"I still feel different on my left side, and I can easily get tired and forget what I'm supposed to say at times, but I hope that will improve with time."
Danny says the support of his wife Ceri and his daughter Harriet has got him through
Danny said after the toothache got worse, an X-ray at his dentist in Colwyn Bay showed no signs of infection, and he returned home with another course of antibiotics.