A MUM-OF-TWO has lost her legs and fingers after going to bed ill with flu like symptoms.
Julianna Bransden complained of feeling under the weather last Christmas and decided to rest up in bed – but concerns grew when she was unable to lift her head off the pillow.
MEN MediaA mum-of-two has lost both her legs and will lose most of her fingers after going to bed with flu-like symptoms[/caption]
MEN MediaFamily were prepared to have to say goodbye after the doctor’s prognosis[/caption]
MEN MediaJulianna thought she had a common cold but her condition rapidly deteriorated and she was rushed to hospital[/caption]
The 44-year-old was told to sit tight by 111 and wait for a few days, but husband Tim knew something was seriously wrong with his wife.
His decision to call an ambulance for Julianna turned out to be life – saving.
Jac Burgess, Julianna’s sister, told LancsLive: “The doctors told us after that Julianna’s body was basically compensating for her and had hidden how bad and ill she really was.
“She’s young and healthy but suddenly fell off a cliff.
“In a timeframe of 30 minutes, her heart had stopped twice.”
Doctors at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, told the family their mum and sister was in a 10 litre hydration deficit and in septic shock.
Shockingly, Julianna’s aunty had passed away due to sepsis a couple of weeks prior, and now it looked like her niece was facing the same fate.
The 44-year-old’s family were told the patient would have to go on a ventilator and was in ICU – where she would remain for the next 66 days.
They were prepared for this to be Julianna’s last night after the doctor’s prognosis.
Jac added: “When she first went into hospital, she was so dehydrated they said that her lips looked like if you touched them, they would have cracked completely.
“There was a nurse there that had been working for eight years, one for 22 and another for 10 and they all said they’ve never seen a patient crash that dramatically.
“It’s just been crazy.”
The teacher was desperately fighting septic shock and organ failure but doctors also discovered a nasty case of pneumonia, influenza and invasive Strep A.
Since waking up from an induced coma, Julianna has had to have both her legs amputated and will sadly lose most of her fingers too.
Her sister said: “We were just desperately praying that she would just survive. I think with sepsis, people just think you either die or you survive.
“But with Julianna’s condition, we want to raise awareness that it’s not just being in hospital and being a life or death situation.
“We’re now very confident that she’s coming home. Her character as well, she’s determined she’s not going anywhere.”
The doting family have praised the “scarily stoic and super resilient” Julianna for recovering so quickly – and in good spirits.
“She’s doing so well, I just can’t imagine what it’s like to not even be able to have a good cry and wipe away your own tears. She’s a superstar,” Jac added.
The family stressed there is a long road to recovery ahead but they are ultimately feeling blessed to still have Julianna with them.
There is a GoFundMe set up to help her rebuild her independence and so far £68,141 has been raised.
What is septicaemia?
The terms sepsis and septicaemia both refer to a blood infection that’s typically caused by bacteria.
Even though the definitions are closely related, there are some small differences.
Sepsis occurs when your body reacts to a severe infection, whereas septicaemia is the name of the infection itself.
The NHS explains: “Sepsis can affect multiple organs or the entire body, even without blood poisoning or septicaemia.
“Sepsis can also be caused by viral or fungal infections, although bacterial infections are by far the most common cause.”
What are the signs of sepsis you should never ignore?
– Weakness
– Loss of appetite
– Fever and chills
– Thirst
– Difficult or rapid breathing
– Rapid heart rate
– Low blood pressure
– Low urine output
If a person is suffering these symptoms and they are thought to have suffered an infection – pneumonia, abdominal infection, urinary infection, or a wound – sepsis is a likely cause.
MEN MediaThe teacher has started to make a recovery after spending 66 days in ICU[/caption]
MEN MediaHer family have set up a GoFundMe to help Julianna get her independence back[/caption] Read More