A sporty student with flu-like symptoms woke up from a coma to discover all of her limbs had been amputated after contracting sepsis. Medical student Lily McGarry, 23, was studying at Cardiff University when she was rushed to hospital on January 14 after feeling unwell. Within hours, Lily suffered two cardiac arrests and was placed in a medically-induced coma.
Medics at University Hospital Wales diagnosed the “kind, thoughtful, active and positive” student with life-threatening meningococcal septicaemia, which is an aggressive bacterial infection that can cause rapid organ failure and death if not treated immediately.
When Lily woke up from the coma, she was heartbreakingly told by doctors the infection had caused irreversible damage to all four of her limbs. Surgeons had to amputate both of the Lily’s legs above the knee and her arms at the elbow in order to save her life. Her family said they are”committed to ensuring that Lily has the best chance for recovery and the opportunity to pursue her dreams.”
Lily’s mum Jo Gorrod and friend Tanya set up a GoFundMe to support Lily’s recovery. It has raised a remarkable £24,000, with over 320 people generously donating. The fundraiser states: “Before her illness, Lily was an avid swimmer, runner, and surfer, and these sports are essential to her well-being and happiness.
“The advanced prosthetics available through private companies will give her the mobility and independence to return to these activities. This will not only aid her physical recovery but also allow her to reconnect with the passions that have always brought her joy.
“Funds raised here will go directly towards prosthetics, adaptations to living environment, as well as the physiotherapy and rehabilitation necessary for Lily’s recovery.
“Any funds not directly used for Lily’s care will be donated to Limb Power, a charity that supports amputees and individuals with limb impairments through physical activity, sport, and the arts to enhance their quality of life and aid in lifelong rehabilitation. Your support will make a world of difference in helping Lily rebuild her life, regain her independence, and pursue her dreams.”
Prior to her life-changing illness, Lily was an avid runner, swimmer and surfer. Most recently, she ran the Cardiff Half Marathon in October, where she raised hundreds of pounds for her university’s research into Alzheimer’s disease.
“I hope that any fundraising I can do to help this research may have the potential to accelerate the pace of drug discovery aimed at preventing or slowing the progression of dementia,’ Lily wrote at the time.
“As a future doctor, I hope that I will have the opportunity to put some of this research into practice to improve the quality of life of patients living with dementia.”
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