A man watched as his wife's 'feet and hands' died, resulting in them all being amputated, following a 'routine' infection and what she thought was a mild cold.
Sherri Moody, from Texas, began feeling like she had a cold in April 2023 and didn't worry too much about it.
However, the 51-year-old took herself to the hospital after she woke up one night and was struggling to breathe.
Doctors found that the teacher was suffering with double pneumonia, which they said had been brought on by streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat.
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As a result of this, her body went into septic shock, seeing her blood pressure drop dramatically.
Sherri's husband David admitted: "I had to Google what sepsis was. I had no idea. We’re pretty healthy people.
"I recognized real quick that we were in a severe situation. I was scared to pieces."
Because Sherri was taking arthritis medication, her body already a weakened ability to fight off infection.
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Her husband likened her health battle as 'going to war with no soldiers'.
Sherri was put into a medically induced coma by doctors, as they treated her with drugs they hoped would bring circulation back to her organs.
However, this lead to circulation leaving her arms and legs.
David watched on in horror as his wife's limbs died before his very eyes.
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He recalled: "They were black and mummified."
Although Sherri's life was saved, her limbs could not be - and they were amputated below the knee and shoulder.
Sherri was, of course, incredibly upset when she was first told the news - but she is now making an effort to live a happy life.
David is now her full-time carer.
On her outlook on life, Sherri said: "I just choose to be happy. It’s not to say that I don’t have a breakdown every now and then and just cry a little bit. I don’t let it last long."
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Her husband has been left amazed by her attitude, and admits he's had more difficulties than her.
David said: "She is just amazing. I’ve had more struggles. Both of us together talk about our blessings. We talk about the things that are going right in our day, in our lives."
Septic shock, which can be caused by common infections, affects around 750,000 Americans every year.
Roughly 30 percent of patients with the condition die.
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A GoFundMe has been set up for the couple, which has so far raised more than $88,000.
Ben Thompson