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A dedicated endurance competitor is now getting ready to navigate life with no her limbs after requiring amputation due to a critical fight with sepsis.

At first believing she was suffering from a ordinary case of "freshers' flu", the medical student from the Channel Islands soon found herself in a critical crisis.

Following being rushed to the hospital, she suffered two cardiac arrests and slipped into a state of unconsciousness, with the subsequent three months being a utter void in her memory.

"As you're young, you tend to assume, the way I used to, that these types of medical situations won't impact you," shared Lily.

The athlete continued, "Young people often feel a bit invincible, and you aren't eager to fret about your health because you've got a social life to live."

Rapid Worsening

Described by friends as "a remarkable athlete", Lily was extremely dedicated about aquatic sports, jogging, and relaxing at the beach.

However as she presently rests in her recovery room, she reflects on the day her typical daily life was flipped upside down.

"I was a bit under the weather, but I was still managing my routine," she shared. "I was sat at home with my housemates at university."

That occurred on 14 January, and she decided to go to bed at approximately 23:00, adding, "I assumed I'd take it easy and sleep it off."

Severe Turn of Events

Yet as the night continued, Lily's condition deteriorated suddenly.

She explained, "One of my roommates saw my light was still on when she got up in the night, and visited me."

"I was sick everywhere and had been unable to control myself."

Close companions cleaned her up and took her to the ER, at which point she observed a redness that was beginning to expand on her body.

Lily was taken to the resuscitation area, and was still not entirely cognizant of the severity of her condition.

"I could to walk into A&E and so at that point I thought I'd just get some medication and go home the next day," she said. "But in resus I remember the physician asking for my mother and father's mobile numbers."

Apart from being in a room filled with doctors and nurses, she remembers very little after this, until around three months later in the spring.

Lily had no idea she had undergone a cardiac arrest, and describes it as "very surreal" discovering about this from a post her sibling had written.

"It seems I really realised the magnitude of what had happened until about spring when I was commencing to look at my body," she stated. "I've been told I swiftly went into sepsis shock."

"My blood pressure was very low and within a day I'd had two cardiac arrests and was diagnosed with meningococcal sepsis."

Understanding Sepsis?

Septic shock happens when the body malfunctions to a pathogen, causing internal parts to work inefficiently.

It can cause a significant drop in blood pressure and affect the respiratory system, kidneys, hepatic system and other vital parts.

One of the challenges in recognizing sepsis is that it can present very uniquely in each person.

Experts identify six primary signs to look out for:

• S - difficulty speaking or disorientation
• E - extreme aching in tissues and joints
• P - passing no fluid in a day
• S - significant breathlessness
• I - people saying "it feels like I'm going to die"
• S - skin that's blotchy, abnormally colored or very pale

Looking Ahead

"I'm lucky to have had amputated my limbs in an age where there's plenty of technology," Lily stated.

The patient is exploring devices such as hand cycles, explaining, "I've always enjoyed being in the water and spending time in the water and I'm really excited about the feeling of liberty I'll have without earth's pull in the water."

"Therefore I anticipate that can take place soon."

Lily will head back to the Channel Islands in autumn, and is eagerly anticipating visiting her elders, visiting the beach and to "recover and reflect on what's happened."

Social Support

Peers and relatives are also gathering donations to help provide her as many opportunities as possible, and she shares feeling emotional about backing from different communities.

A housemate described how kind and considerate she is, and how Lily would go out of her way to help others.

"After she's gotten sick she's just even more so, she's so positive," she stated. "Every time I see her she's making more progress and considering the future, she's so strong-willed."

"She remains the same Lily asking about everyone else and worrying about everyone else."

"Frankly she astounds me, whenever I see her, she surprises me with her outlook and her perspective on life."