Brave Vicky Smith lost her limb when blood bug septicaemia tore through it
A YOUNG woman was left with no choice but to have her leg amputated after a routine foot operation went horribly wrong.
Vicky Smith lost her limb at the age of just 21 when a simple procedure to correct an unusually high arch in her left foot led to a life threatening infection.
The brave hairdresser has now set up a support group in a bid to help other young people cope with amputation.
Vicky, of Sunderland, had been a happy and active teenager before the ordeal which saw her admitted into intensive care four times with deadly septicaemia.
Medics at the Sunderland Royal Hospital initially amputated Vicky’s toes in a bid to cut out the raging infection, but a month later it returned and the drastic decision was made to remove her leg.
Vicky, now 23, said: “The arch in my foot had not even bothered me too much. It just meant that I struggled to buy shoes which fitted properly.
“I had already had my right foot corrected, which had been absolutely fine.I had been told the operation was a minor procedure which would improve my posture.
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“I had no idea of the devastation it would wreak on my life. I had been a normal teenager, and as a hairdresser had always been on my feet.
“Now, I struggle to even get around. I have to rely on other people.”
While recovering from her operation Vicky realised that there was very little support available for amputees in the country.
So she set up her own group – Journeys of Amputation UK – in a bid to help others in similar situations.
She added: “At first I couldn’t do any of the things that normal women in their twenties would do.
“I couldn’t go out drinking or carry on with my hairdressing work.
“I kept on thinking that no-one would want to be in a relationship with an amputee.
“My confidence hit rock bottom. I used to cover my stump with blankets or cushions or whatever I could. I wouldn’t let certain people come to the house because I was so worried about my appearance.
“I tried to find support groups but the majority of them were in America and the ones in England were mainly down south.
“That is when I decided to start up a support group of my own on Facebook.
“It helps people like myself talk to each other, and it prevents us from feeling alone.
“I am still getting used to my disability, but things aren’t nearly as bad as they were at first. I want to give other people hope.”
Vicky had suffered from the condition cavus foot deformity, which causes an unusually high arch and increased stress on the heel and ball. The symptoms usually worsen with age, but can be reduced following simple corrective surgery.
After the operation went wrong and her wound became infected, she was initially devastated to lose her toes, but doctors assured her the infection would not return and she would make a full recovery.
However just four weeks later the infection came back with a vengeance.
Within a few weeks, doctors gave her an ultimatum – her leg or her life.
Vicky, who now gets around with the help of a prosthetic limb and wheelchair, knew she had no choice but to agree to the amputation and went under the knife in 2014.
She added: “I didn’t take any of it in at first, I just kind of got on with it.
“There were a few tears, but my parents cried so much more than me.
“It didn’t really hit me until afterwards.
“I can’t explain the feeling of just not having your leg there, it is such a weird and horrible sensation.
“One day I woke up and I really needed to go to the toilet but I struggled so much to get up and get dressed.
“It made me realise that even the easiest and most simple things required the biggest effort.
“But things have improved a lot since then.
“It doesn’t have to be the end of the world. I am starting to get my confidence back, and don’t feel quite as self conscious any more.”
Sunderland Royal Hospital have been contacted, but no-one was available for comment.
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