A mum-of-four had to be put into an induced coma after suffering sepsis from a dog bite, with doctors saying she must have her fingers amputated.
Michelle Ellis, from Plymouth in Devon, was left with a small dog bite after the family pet bit her, but she didn't think much of it at the time.
However, in the next few days, she began experiencing 'flu-like' symptoms and was eventually admitted to hospital on Saturday 16 January.
Staff at Derriford Hospital concluded that the mum was suffering sepsis - the body's extreme response to an infection - and she was put into an induced coma and placed on a dialysis machine.
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Her family have now set up a fundraiser to raise money for her rehabilitation and other costs, having already received more than £2,000 in donations.
Michelle's daughter Keana, 24, said: "The fundraiser is to help pay for her rehabilitation and any costs that will come along with that - but also just for her to be able to have a little treat when she starts getting better.
"Hopefully it will be a nice treat for her, and it will mean she won't have any extra worries. Hopefully, she won't have to worry about money for a little bit."
Keana continued: "The dog is going to be put down, but it is actually the family dog - he's always been a little bit funny, but I think something was going on, she tried to put him in his cage and he bit her, but it was a tiny bite - around the size of a cigarette burn - so nothing was thought of it and she left it, and then this happened."
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She said the experience has been incredibly tough for the family, not least because they've not been able to visit Michelle - not only due to the pandemic, but also because she only woke up from the coma several days ago.
Keana said they will be able to visit her once she is moved to Mount Gould Hospital for rehabilitation, although it's not clear when this will be.
"My mind now is set on raising as much money as we can with the fundraiser and raising awareness, so that she has a good quality of life when she does get better," she explained.
"It keeps me occupied, which is really good. I've got my family, and my boyfriend and his family to support me, so I've got a lot of support - as well as all the support we've had on Facebook.
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"We've had messages from people we don't know, it's really lovely. We've all had a lot of messages from people sending well wishes."
Writing on the fundraiser, her sister Michelle said: "At this point in time she's been two weeks in intensive care fighting for her life, her kidneys are not working but her liver is improving.
"Sadly, Michelle has suffered damage to her hands due to lack of blood and oxygen to them. We were informed that all her fingers will be amputated."
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She adds: "It will be a very long road to recovery, but I'm optimistic she can fight this and bloom to full health."
To donate and for updates, visit the family's GoFundMe page.
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