SPORTY medical student, Lily McGarry, had both her arms and legs amputated – and it all started when she woke up one morning with a sore throat.
With ‘Freshers’ Week’ around the corner, experts are now reminding students of the health risks that can arise despite being “young and healthy”.
Lily McGarry thought she just had a winter bug when she woke up with a sore throat one morning[/caption]
Things quickly went downhill and it was Lily’s housemates that urged her to go to hospital[/caption]
Lily was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia – a life-threatening bloodstream infection – which developed into sepsis[/caption]
One morning in January this year, Lily, 23, who was in her third year of graduate entry medicine at Cardiff University, woke up with a sore throat and a bit of a cough.
As a talented swimmer and triathlete, Lily had run a 10k the day before and put her symptoms down to a normal winter bug.
But over the next few days, everything went downhill fast.
Lily, from Jersey, said: “On the 14th, my housemates Ella and another friend insisted on taking me to hospital because they could see that my “flu” symptoms were getting worse.
“Once I got to the University Hospital of Wales my symptoms worsened suddenly and dramatically – I developed a rash that started creeping up my neck – and from that point on things spiralled.”
Lily was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia – a life-threatening bloodstream infection – ans shortly afterwards suffered the first of two cardiac arrests.
As a result she was placed in a medically induced coma for two weeks.
“For the first few days, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff told my family that I was the sickest patient in the whole hospital – and that’s in a place with thousands of in-patients,” said Lily.
When Lily finally woke up, she found out meningococcal septicaemia had developed into septic shock – the most severe complication of sepsis – which occurs when a person’s blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection.
Lily’s blood pressure became dangerously low, cutting off circulation to her limbs and major organs.
“The team had thought that I was beginning to show signs of recovery, but an MRI revealed damage to my brain, spleen and liver, leaving the long-term prognosis uncertain,” said Lily.
“I was moved to Swansea and, with the amazing support of the plastics team at Morriston Hospital, I had surgery to amputate both legs below the knees and both arms through the elbows.”
It wasn’t until Lily left the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) that she began to process what had happened.
“Fortunately I have had help from a psychologist to process everything,” said Lily.
“There are still days when I look at the scarring and my legs though and feel grief about how they look now compared to the way they were before.”
Lily is now in rehab centre in Cardiff and hopes after three months there she’ll be able to go back to Jersey to rest at home.
She said: “My friends and family and the community back home in Jersey have been unbelievable – my family have basically lived in south Wales since the start of the year.
Simply learning the symptoms of sepsis could save yours or a fellow student’s life though
Lily McGarry
“My mum and stepsister Tanya set up a fundraiser to help fund prosthetics and the adaptations that I will need to my living environment, as well as the physiotherapy and rehabilitation necessary for my recovery.
“Part of their aim was to allow me get back to some of the things I love — running, swimming and surfing — though I know that’s going to take a lot of time and effort. People have already generously donated almost £450,000, which is just incredible.
“I have yet to find out whether I will be able to continue my studies in medicine, on the basis of being able to demonstrate the core competencies required to qualify as a doctor.
“I know nothing can give me back my limbs or the life I expected to have, but I’m trying to focus on what’s ahead.”
Lily’s key message to other students is to look out for each other.
She said: “Starting university is hard enough without having to think about illnesses.
“Simply learning the symptoms of sepsis could save yours or a fellow student’s life though.
“Try to ensure that you check your vaccination history with your GP before starting term, and if you haven’t been vaccinated against things like meningitis or MMR, make sure you do so ASAP.
“Finally, I’d recommend that if you drink alcohol just consider whether the way you feel really is just a hangover…are you really feeling yourself?”
After developing septic shock, Lily was forced to have her arms and legs amputated[/caption]
Lily is yet to find out whether she’ll be able to continue her studies in medicine[/caption]
Lily’s message is echoed by UK charity Sepsis Research FEAT as part of Sepsis Awareness Month in September.
The charity said: “Lily’s story illustrates very clearly one of this charity’s key messages to students and young people – that as you start to move away from home and take responsibility for your own health, it is so important to ensure that you are vigilant about apparently common infections and symptoms of illness – in yourself and others.
“It is doubly important to look out for those around you in your new social groups and study settings.
“Lily’s story also highlights the need to ensure that students have access to medical care – via registration with a GP and dentist.
“Above all she and her family want to ensure that in future all students are appropriately vaccinated, particularly against meningitis B.
“Checking this before you leave home could potentially be life-saving.”
Why students are at risk of sepsis
Students are at risk of sepsis due to a number of factors, says Sepsis Research FEAT:
- Shared flats mean shared infections
- Stress, sleepless nights and drinking can weaken your immune system
- Many students aren’t registered with a GP or delay asking for help.
So what should you watch out for? The charity says: “If you or a flatmate has an infection and something feels “off”, trust your gut.”
Symptoms of sepsis can include the following below…
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS
“With so much else going on, our feeling is that students are particularly likely to brush off ‘mild’ health concerns, especially during freshers’ week,” said Colin Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Sepsis Research FEAT.
“But if you’re too ill to Google what’s wrong, that’s the moment to call someone. We want students to be confident speaking up and for flatmates or friends to know when to step in too.”
Throughout September, the charity will be sharing short videos, personal stories and medical advice across TikTok, YouTube and student-focused channels.
With humour, honesty, and lived experience, the campaign’s goal is simple: stop ignoring infection symptoms and, if something feels seriously wrong, don’t wait.
Lily is currently in rehab but hopes to return home to Jersey after three months[/caption]
Her key message to other students is to look out for each other – learn the symptoms of sepsis[/caption]