Quadruple amputee nurse from Kentucky risks losing more of her arms as she asks followers for their prayers ahead of new surgery
The Kentucky mother who lost all her limbs to sepsis after routine kidney stone surgery will return to the University of Kentucky Hospital next week for another procedure.
Cindy Mullins, 41, had surgery to remove kidney stones in December but suffered septic shock after an infection that left her losing both her legs and arms.
Her family has been sharing updates on her condition since the surgery took a dark turn and she was adjusting to her new life.
Mullins has undergone rehabilitation and has learned to control a mobility scooter with her head, 'booty scoot', stretch her muscles and sit up on her own as she continues to strive for her independence.
The mother of two will now undergo another operation to amputate her forearms on February 7 and she asked for support and prayers.
Kentucky mother Cindy Mullins, who lost all her limbs to sepsis after routine kidney stone surgery, will return to the University of Kentucky Hospital next week for another procedure.
The 41-year-old had surgery to remove kidney stones in December, but she suffered septic shock after an infection, which led to the loss of both her legs and arms.
Her family has been sharing updates on her condition since the surgery took a dark turn and she was adjusting to her new life
Mullins woke from anesthesia just before Christmas to discover that doctors had amputated all four limbs in a desperate bid to save her life after a kidney stone infection led to blood poisoning.
The nurse was recovering at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington but was able to return home on January 12 with husband DJ, 43, and sons Teegan, 12, and Easton, seven.
She has remained overwhelmingly positive despite her ordeal, as she told DailyMail.com exclusively: 'I just want people to know this isn't a sad story.
'This has a happy ending. I am alive. I get to be with my children and my husband.'
A fundraising page has been set up for Mullins GoFundMe and to date it has raised more than $287,000 to help pay for her medical expenses.
On January 31, she gave an update to her supporters and announced that she would undergo another surgery.
“We finally got the updates we've been waiting for. An operation to amputate my forearms is scheduled for next Wednesday in the UK,” she said.
“Ok prayer Warriors, it is your time to shine.”
The septic shock that developed just days after Cindy underwent a harmless elective procedure to flush stones from her right kidney in December meant her legs had to be removed immediately.
Her arms were so badly damaged because her blood pressure fell dangerously low that her hands and forearms also had to be amputated.
“Surprisingly, I wasn't upset, I didn't have any doubts about it. I wasn't angry,” Cindy says of the harrowing moment the doctors told her she was going to be a quadruple amputee.
“I know there are going to be hard times, but just knowing that I can see my kids again and that I have the support of my family, I think that gave me peace to be okay.”
Mullins has undergone rehabilitation and has learned to control a mobility scooter with her head, 'booty scoot', stretch her muscles and sit up on her own
The mother-of-two will now undergo further surgery to amputate her forearms in Britain on February 7. She asked for support and prayers.
“I just want people to know that this is not a sad story,” Lucinda told DailyMail.com. 'This has a happy ending. I am alive. I get to be with my children and my husband.' She is depicted with her husband, sons, mother and sister
DailyMail.com visited Cindy's home in Waynesburg, an hour south of Lexington, to see the remarkable progress she has made after six weeks in the hospital and grueling daily rehabilitation sessions.
She has learned to 'booty scoot', stretch her muscles and sit up on her own. She can also use her nose to scroll through the countless supportive texts and messages pouring in from all corners of the US.
Cindy can now also eat herself with a specially adapted fork strapped to her arm.
However, the family is still adjusting to the changes, including starting each day with a two-hour process where DJ dresses and wraps his wife's healing wounds to keep them clean, waterproof and free from further infection .
Cindy said she is determined to return to work as soon as possible, where she worked for 17 years as a certified medical assistant at Bates, Miller & Sims, a local family practice.
When the kidney stone became septic, she was first taken by ambulance to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford and from there to a University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington.
But the doctors decided to amputate both her legs and told her that she would also lose both her arms below her elbows or she would die.
Friends and family have continued to offer tremendous support and praise to Cindy's spirit as she tackles her grueling rehabilitation.
“Cindy had another great day of therapy, she also had wonderful visitors who brought her delicious treats,” wrote friend Heather Beshears, who set up the GoFundMe.
Mullins shared a touching photo of her youngest son helping to feed her
“I know things will never be the same again and that's okay. But just to be able to kind of live the life I used to have again would be great,” she tells DailyMail.com
The determination is evident as Cindy learns to scroll on a cell phone with her elbow and her nose
Husband DJ is determined to get the best possible treatment for his wife of 13 years. The couple started dating in their teens after they met on jet skis in Pulaski County Park and he waited 10 years to propose
“Let's pray that every day gets a little better.”
Cindy said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, including more than 40 hospital visitors at a time.
Her GoFundMe page states: “Cindy and her family will need to make a few adjustments to their home to accommodate Cindy's needs, as well as her prosthetics and adaptive equipment.
“The cost of all this can be overwhelming. We started this fundraiser because we want to support our hero Cindy, as well as her husband DJ, who has been by her side every step of the way.
'Cindy and DJ have two young children who miss their mother and father terribly. Sometimes life is hard and you can't ignore it.
'Cindy and DJ's world has come to a complete standstill, but the world around them continues to move forward. Let's help lighten their burden as they heal and rebuild their lives. We hope to let Cindy focus on her recovery.