Sporty Medical Student, 23, remains four -fold amputee after suspected competition of ‘flu’ turned out to be life -threatening sepsis
A sporty student of medical is a four -time amputated left after what she thought was a simple attack of the flu turned out to be a life threatening sepsis infection.
Lily McGarry, 23, from Jersey, studied medicines at Cardiff University when she was brought to A&E with flu -like symptoms in January.
Within a few hours Lily, who was described by her family as ‘friendly, attentive and positive’, two cardiac arrest and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Doctors of the University Hospital Wales diagnosed the sharp athlete with deadly meningococcal septicemia – a rare and aggressive bacterial infection that can quickly cause organ failure and death if they are not treated immediately.
When Lily woke up from the coma two weeks later, she was told that the infection had caused all four of her limbs irreversible damage.
Surgeons were forced to ampute both legs of the lily above the knee and her arms on the elbow to save her life.
Prior to her illness, Lily, who also has a first -class degree in medical pharmacology, was an avid swimmer, runner and surfer.
She also ran the Cardiff Half Marathon in October – and picked up hundreds of pounds for research from her university into Alzheimer’s disease.
Sporty Medical Student Lily McGarry (photo) has left a quadruple amputated after contracting a life-threatening sepsis infection
The 23-year-old is an enthusiastic fitness enthusiast who led the Brighton Half Marathon for Alzheimer’s research
Her family says that the four -fold amputation was ‘devastating’, but that she has remained ‘undisputed’ in her determination to fully live life
“I hope that every fundraising I can do to help this research can have the potential to speed up the pace of drug discovery that is aimed at preventing or delaying the progression of dementia,” Lily wrote at the time.
“As a future doctor, I hope that I get the chance to put part of this study into practice to improve the quality of life of patients with dementia.”
Lily’s family said that sport is ‘essential’ for her happiness and described her recent four -fold amputation as ‘devastating’.
However, they added that her strength and determination after the life -changing operation remained ‘unscessed’.
Her mother Jo Gorrod and friend Tanya Set up a GoFundme today to support Lily’s recovery and to help her participate in the activities she likes again.
The online fundraising has already collected more than £ 14,000 in less than 24 hours, with nearly 300 people who promise their support.
“We are dedicated to ensure that Lily has the best chance of recovery and the opportunity to pursue her dreams.” Mrs. Gorrod wrote on the Gofundme page.
‘Before her illness, Lily was an avid swimmer, runner and surfer, and these sports are essential for her well -being and happiness.
‘The advanced prostheses that are available through private companies will give it mobility and independence to return to these activities.
Lily’s family and friends are fundraising to help her get advanced prostheses so that she can return to fitness
The fundraising of the medical student has reached £ 21,000 of a target of £ 100,000 from 16 April
‘This will not only help her physical recovery, but also allow her to reconnect with the passions that have always brought her joy.
‘Funds that are collected here go directly in the direction of prostheses, adjustments to the living environment, as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation required for the recovery of Lily.
“All funds that are not immediately used for Lily’s care will be given to limbs, a charity that supports amputants and people with limb disorders through physical activity, sport and art to improve their quality of life and help with lifelong rehabilitation.”
She added: “Your support will make a world of difference to help Lily rebuild her life, regain her independence and pursue her dreams.”
To donate to Lily’s Gofundme page, Click here.
Six major signs of sepsis
Sepsis is a life -threatening condition that is caused when the body releases chemicals to combat an infection.
These chemicals damage their own tissues and organs of the body and can lead to shock, organ failure and death.
Organization and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognized early and will be treated immediately.
Sepsis infects an estimated 55,000 Australians each year, which killes between 5,000 and 9,000, making it more than four times more deadly than the road tot.
The symptoms can look like gastro or flu and can quickly get deadly.
The six most important signs of something that is potentially fatal can be identified by the acronym ‘Sepsis’:
- Unclear speech or confusion, lethargy, disorientation
- Extreme shivers or muscle pain, fever or low temperature
- By pressing a result, it is not fading
- Severe breathlessness, rapid breathing
- Inability to pass hours
- Skin that is spotted or discolored
Children can also show convulsions or fits, and a result that does not fade when you press on it – and more than 40 percent of the cases occur in children under five.
Anyone who develops these symptoms must urgently seek medical help – and ask doctors: “could this be sepsis?”
Sepsis is an important cause of avoidable death that kills around 10,000 Australians every year
The early symptoms of sepsis can easily be confused with more mild conditions, making it difficult to diagnose.
A high temperature (fever), cold shivers and shivers, fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators.
A patient can quickly deteriorate if Sepsis is missed early, so rapid diagnosis and treatment is vital – but this rarely happens.
In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a breast infection, flu or stomach complaints.
It is the most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children under one, people with chronic conditions or people who have weakened the immune system.
