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An talented multisport athlete is now preparing to tackle life with no her extremities after having limb loss due to a severe struggle with sepsis.

Originally believing she was suffering from a typical case of university illness, the 24-year-old from Jersey rapidly found herself in a medical crisis.

After being taken to the hospital, she endured two heart attacks and slipped into a state of unconsciousness, with the next three months staying a utter gap in her memory.

"When you're a young adult, you tend to believe, like I once thought, that these types of illnesses aren't for you," shared Lily.

The athlete continued, "You feel a bit invincible, and you prefer not to fret about your health because you've got a social life to live."

Sudden Deterioration

Regarded by close companions as "a fantastic athlete", Lily was passionate about swimming, jogging, and spending time at the beach.

Yet as she presently recovers in her medical facility, she reflects on the day her typical university routine was flipped upside down.

"I was a bit under the weather, but I was still going about my daily life," she shared. "I was sat at home with my flatmates at university."

That occurred on 14 January, and she decided to go to bed at around eleven o'clock, commenting, "I believed I'd have a rest and recover overnight."

Severe Turn of Events

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

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

"I had been extremely ill and had been experiencing loss of bladder control."

Close companions cleaned her up and took her to the ER, at which point she noticed a skin irritation that was starting to spread on her body.

Lily was taken to the critical care zone, and was still not fully aware of the gravity of her condition.

"I managed to walk into the hospital and so at that point I assumed I'd just get some drugs and go home the next day," she said. "Yet in resus I remember the doctor asking for my mum and dad's mobile numbers."

Apart from being in a room attended by doctors and nurses, she recalls very little after this, until approximately three months later in the spring.

Lily did not even know she had suffered a myocardial infarction, and explains it as "very surreal" discovering about this from a message her family member had posted.

"I don't think I really grasped the magnitude of what had happened until about May when I was commencing to look at my body," she stated. "According to doctors I swiftly went into sepsis shock."

"My blood pressure was very low and within 24 hours I'd had two myocardial infarctions and was identified with a severe blood infection."

Explaining Sepsis?

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

This may cause a sharp drop in BP and harm the respiratory system, kidneys, liver and other internal systems.

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

There are six key signs to look out for:

• S - difficulty speaking or mental fog
• E - extreme discomfort in tissues and bones
• P - producing no urine in a day
• S - significant difficulty breathing
• I - people saying "it feels like I'm going to die"
• S - skin that's discolored, changed hue or very pale

Moving Forward

"It's a blessing to have had amputated my limbs in an time where there's lots of technology," Lily remarked.

She is exploring equipment such as arm-powered bikes, adding, "I've always liked being in the water and immersing myself in the water and I'm really enthusiastic about the experience of independence I'll have without earth's pull in the water."

"Therefore I anticipate that can happen soon."

Lily will return to her hometown in autumn, and is excited about reuniting with her grandparents, going to the beach and to "recuperate and reflect on what's happened."

Personal Support

Companions and relatives are also gathering funds to help give her as many options as possible, and she expresses feeling touched about support from various communities.

A housemate explained how compassionate and considerate she is, and how Lily would take additional steps to help others.

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

"She continues to be the same Lily caring for everyone else and showing concern for everyone else."

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