I had quite a good time on this holiday before going to hospital. The trip itself changed my life forever. Whilst I was in hospital in Barcelona, my mum died in England & I only just came out the other side of it alive.

Summary.

After having tests in the hospital, I was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis in my right leg. This is a severe, fast-spreading infection that results in the death of the body's soft tissue. To save my leg & my life, this infected flesh would have to be cut away from my body & I had around 14 operations to remove the infected flesh from my leg completely.

Whilst in the hospital, I was also diagnosed with Sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its tissues & organs. I was treated for this with lots of drugs & kept in intensive care to prevent my internal organs from failing. I don't remember, but I'm told I ballooned up & my body looked like the old Michelin man tyre character from the Michelin adverts.

After the infected area had been cut away, I was airlifted by my insurance company back to the UK to have skin grafts at the Queen Alexander Hospital in Cosham. After the operation was carried out, I was helped to walk again & had daily therapy on the leg for a few weeks before I was allowed home.

Whilst at home for many months, I had daily visits from district nurses to change the dressing on my leg & with help from friends, I was able to cope living at home. My mother's death whilst I was in hospital was a lot harder to deal with & I still miss her.