Beth Budgen, a 46-year-old from Newbury in Berkshire, has described how a case of sepsis that was difficult to detect resulted in the amputation of both her legs. She initially believed she had a cold when she woke up feeling unwell on Christmas Eve, but the following day she developed agonising pain, vomited blue liquid, and was rushed to A&E in Basingstoke.
Within hours of arriving at hospital, doctors told her family to prepare for the worst, and she was placed in an induced coma for six weeks. By Boxing Day she had suffered complete organ failure. Medics later established that, in addition to flu and pneumonia, she had contracted a strep A bacterial infection which led to sepsis.
When Ms Budgen came out of the coma, her feet had turned black, and she was told that both legs required amputation. She underwent surgery at Southampton General Hospital, where she also had parts of her hands removed. Describing the aftermath, she said it felt surreal, and that the reality only sank in once the bandages were removed.
Despite the ordeal, Ms Budgen said she considered herself lucky and has always been an optimistic person. However, returning home has presented challenges. On her first night alone, she left her medication downstairs after a 30-minute trip upstairs, which triggered her first meltdown. She remains determined to wear her prosthetic legs as much as possible, although she says it is exhausting.
Sepsis is known as the hidden killer because it can be hard to detect. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection and begins attacking the body's own tissues, ultimately leading to organ failure. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, severe breathlessness, a high temperature, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe muscle pain.
Ms Budgen hopes that by sharing her story she can raise awareness of the signs of sepsis. Her family has launched a campaign to raise funds for adaptations to her home and a bespoke pair of prosthetic legs.
