In a shocking and heart-wrenching tale, a woman from Swansea has shared the terrifying experience of her hands and feet turning black due to septic shock, a condition she developed just days after being sent home from the hospital with a “small” kidney stone.
What started as a routine health issue spiraled into a life-threatening emergency that would change her life forever.
The Initial Hospital Visit
In July 2022, Louise Marshallsay, a 48-year-old mother, went to the hospital after experiencing excruciating pain on her side, which she suspected might be a kidney stone.
She had gone through a similar experience three years earlier, when a kidney stone required surgery to remove it.
Doctors diagnosed her with another stone, but reassured her that it was small and could pass naturally.
With this in mind, they sent her home.
Kidney stones are hard, mineralized deposits that form in the kidneys, often caused by dehydration or poor fluid intake.
For many, these stones can be extremely painful, but typically pass without the need for surgery.
But what was supposed to be a manageable issue soon turned into a nightmare.
A Rapid Decline in Health
That very evening, Louise’s condition worsened dramatically.
She began losing consciousness and soon, to her horror, noticed that her hands and feet had turned an ominous black and purple. Her situation rapidly deteriorated.
By the time an ambulance rushed her back to the hospital, she had collapsed and slipped into unconsciousness.
When Louise finally regained consciousness, she was shocked to find that four days had passed.
Doctors informed her that she had fallen into septic shock, a life-threatening condition where an infection causes widespread inflammation, severely lowering blood pressure and disrupting blood flow to vital organs.
At this stage, sepsis can lead to organ failure and even death.
The Devastating Aftermath
To try and save Louise’s life, doctors had no choice but to restrict blood flow to her extremities, which led to the death of the tissue in her fingers and toes.
The situation was grave, and after two weeks in the hospital, doctors informed Louise that her right hand and foot would require amputation.
“It was the most horrifying moment of my life,” Louise recalled.
“I was awake during the amputation, and I saw each finger being taken from me.
It felt like something out of a horror movie.” The reality of her situation began to set in, and as the bandages were removed from her wounds, she gasped at the sight of her injured fingers.
Swollen, bruised, and stitched up, they were a constant reminder of the nightmare she had endured.
A Long and Painful Recovery
After six weeks in the hospital, Louise’s recovery was far from over.
The doctors had waited as long as they could to see if her remaining fingers and toes would recover.
But after a period of no improvement, they decided to amputate them as well.
“It was a relief to be alive,” she shared, “but I couldn’t help feeling heartbroken.
I couldn’t imagine living without my fingers and toes.”
Her physical strength had begun to deteriorate, and she had even lost hearing in her right ear. Still, Louise remained resilient.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of my daughter losing her mother. That kept me going.”
A New Life with Prosthetics
By October 2022, Louise had lost all her remaining fingers and toes.
She was discharged from the hospital, but unable to walk without assistance, and dependent on her parents for daily care.
Basic tasks like cooking, showering, and even using a kettle had become impossible.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Louise’s story took a turn for the better when she was referred to a prosthetics laboratory.
Doctors told her that her case was unique, as there were no remaining fingers to model her prosthetics after.
But after reviewing old photos of Louise’s hands, the technicians managed to create prosthetic fingers that were incredibly realistic.
“They looked just like my real fingers, right down to the veins and the creases around the knuckles,” she recalled. “When I saw them, I was overwhelmed.
I couldn’t believe how lifelike they were.”
Adapting to a New Normal
Today, Louise is still learning to adapt to her new normal.
With the help of her prosthetics, she is regaining some of the independence she had lost.
Her experience has also sparked a new chapter in her life: she has found love through sharing her journey and connecting with others who have faced similar challenges.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Louise is grateful to be alive.
“I can’t forget that I was on death’s door for a few days. But now, I’m here.
Things are starting to get better, and I just have to stay positive.”
The Stark Reality of Sepsis
Sepsis is a silent killer that claims the lives of around 52,000 people each year in the UK alone.
The condition can develop from a simple infection, but when it progresses to septic shock, it can cause irreversible damage to the body, including the loss of limbs.
Studies have found that one in every hundred sepsis survivors ends up needing one or more amputations.
Louise’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly things can escalate from what appears to be a minor health issue into something catastrophic.
It also underscores the importance of early detection and proper treatment to prevent the devastating consequences of sepsis.
A Message of Hope
Despite everything she has endured, Louise’s story is one of resilience, hope, and survival.
Through her determination and the support of those around her, she has emerged stronger and is looking forward to the future.
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