NF & Me: Raising Funds for Necrotising Fasciitis research
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Turning Tragedy to Triumph: Empowering Survivors and Raising Funds for Necrotising Fasciitis Research
I have chosen to take part in the Mayflower Trail Challenge 2024 - (a 13.1 mile route along the stunning scenery of the Essex Way), in hopes to raise money for Colchester Hospital, who worked so hard to save my life, and for the Lee Spark NF Foundation who have become so close to me since i became a survivor. any and all donations are hugely appreciated and will assist in raising funds for research and earlier diagnosis, and supporting those who have been affected by this rare but deadly disease.
I am a survivor of the rare deadly flesh eating bacteria - Necrotising Fasciitis.
6 days after having my daughter i became incredibly unwell, it was soon to be known i was the host to this deadly flesh eating disease.
For 48 hours my conscious state was short bursts of energy that were swiftly followed by sepsis shivers, so deep within my bones I felt my body would burst, a temperature so high no one could control it, deep sleeping episodes not even a earthquake would’ve woke me, and a rash so aggressive and spreading by the second it worried everyone. My husband made the call to the maternity unit, drove me to hospital and quite literally saved my life.
I underwent test after test to see what was wrong with all coming back clear, but my temperature skyrocketed, my health declined and worries increased.
I became the talk of the maternity triage unit, I saw many grim faces coming in and out of the room as they heard the news from my CT scan before me that my chances of survival were terrifyingly slim, yet they still held my hand with endless amounts of hope.
Never once did I think I would witness a doctor tell me with sheer urgency how I needed life saving surgery. Never once did I think I would hear the words, “your very likely going to die”
Within 30 minutes I was whisked away leaving my husband, daughter and mum behind and sedated so professionals could do the best they possibly could, I lost 2 days to endless surgeries and observations, I was kept asleep to keep me stable.
2 more weeks followed in ICU and the Brightlingsea ward, with mum, my husband and daughter visiting me daily, where I had more surgeries, physiotherapy, vac dressings and a multitude of medications to keep me alive and recovering before I was allowed to go home.
It wasn’t until June when I was free from any form of medical equipment.
One full year on, I am still in the thick of recovery, my scars are deep and far from any form of “normal” and I am yet to be able to look in a mirror with any form of acceptance but I am alive, I am a mother and a wife and that part I can hold with pride!!
I made it through what was at one point speculated impossible, I am thankfully one of the lucky 11%!
Definition of Necrotising Fascitiis - NF is a rare and severe infection involving the soft tissue below the skin, particularly the fascia. It can affect any part of the body but it is most common on the legs. NF arises most often spontaneously (without prior cause) in patients living in the community and often in previously perfect health. Cuts or grazes to the skin may be a source, but such damage may be trivial or may go unnoticed. Sometimes it may occur in hospitalised patients after surgery. When it arises in the community, the source is usually the patient’s own Strep pyogenes strain.
Bacteria spreads very rapidly in the tissues below the skin and infection progresses at inches per hour. The patient rapidly becomes unwell with flu-like symptoms, with possible vomiting and diarrhoea.
If not treated very quickly the skin over the affected area becomes dusky and purple, blisters may form and the skin dies. By this stage the infection has penetrated into the underlying tissues and the patient often develops toxic shock syndrome with collapse, low blood pressure and failure of the liver, kidneys and other vital organs.
for further information regarding NF please follow the below links
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charleigh b
Organizer