Woman loses hand and feet to Covid: ‘Her life is forever changed’

WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT: An ICU doctor working on the Covid frontline has shared a patient’s harrowing battle with the virus after both their legs and feet were amputated following complications with the virus.

Dr Wesley Ely from Nashville in the United States posted a video to Twitter of the anonymous woman walking with her new prosthetic limbs.

“Covid took her hands & feet,” he captioned the post.

Two photos of the woman with bandages over what's left of her limbs following her amputation surgery. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD
An ICU doctor has recounted a patient’s confronting journey at their request after they lost both their legs and feet following complications from Covid-19. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD

“I cried when she sent me this yesterday: Her physical resilience & mental fortitude are my Inspiration.”

Dr Ely went on to issue an emotional vaccine plea on behalf of his patient.

“She sent this of her walking with new legs and said to tell YOU…Blood clots of Covid can be prevented w a Vaccine!”

Doctor recounts woman's Covid battle

Dr Ely previously released a series of tweets detailing the woman’s devastating journey with Covid-19 after she requested her story be shared in a desperate bid to encourage others to get the jab.

“Covid19 is a disease of blood vessels that can affect your lungs, heart, brain, or any organ. Blood clotting sucks life from vital organs,” he began.

“This patient asked to have her story shared so that others may learn and seek vaccination.”

A photo of the bandages covering the woman's wounds. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD
The woman suffered painful wounds which resembled burns. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD

He explained complications from the virus caused blood clots in her arms and legs, which lead to wounds that resembled burns.

“It took nurses many hours each day to change her wounds,” he revealed.

As her illness progressed, it became clear her survival would come at a cost.

“She was going to live, and we were all thrilled. Still, it was sad to think that this young woman would lose her hands and feet as they continued to dry up, lifeless and still,” he wrote.

Dr Ely posted a photo of the woman with a nurse in the hospital courtyard a week after she had both her legs and feet amputated.

“Her desire for life became a huge inspiration to all of us. I gained way more from her than she ever gained from me,” he said.

A photo of the woman with a nurse in the hospital courtyard a week after she had both her legs and feet amputated. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD
Dr Ely praised the woman's physical and emotional strenth following her amputation surgery, revealing they had grown incredibly close. Source: Twitter/WesElyMD

The woman was forced to overcome immense physical and mental barriers in the weeks that followed as she underwent gruelling physical therapy while taking more than 12 different medications every day.

A set of gifted prosthetics with her sister’s and kids' names on them gave her hope and motivation during her recovery.

“Here you can see her during rehabilitation just after she finished doing some amazing planks. Even with healing wounds, she was doing 2 minutes of planking – such is her physical and mental strength!” Dr Ely wrote about her progress.

Stern warning about virus reality

He said they have become “incredibly close friends” throughout the ordeal.

“I call her my daughter, and she calls me a new dad (who won’t give her advice!). She is a treasure beyond measure for me. I don’t deserve her in my life, but I’m totally thankful she accepts me.”

He finished with a stern warning to others about the confronting reality of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Her life is forever changed...This is the reality of what can happen to a very young and totally healthy person.

covid
The woman's hands and feet continued to "dry up", Dr Ely said. Source: Twitter

“She said, “Please, Doctor Wes, share my story to help others get the vaccine.”

And ended the thread on a slightly more positive tone.

“Life goes on no matter how hard the curve balls are that we are thrown. There is hope for tomorrow. Love of her kids and sisters is driving her onwards.

“Very few drugs have such a great safety profile. Covid patients want to get vaccinated and many have asked you to reconsider... Do your part and share her story and its message of hope. Make her courage to share worth it!”

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