Shock as mum-of-two dies from sepsis infection just days after cutting the back of her hand while gardening
Devastated relatives of Lucy Smith, 44, are now committed to raising awareness of the 'silent killer' condition that kills 44,000 every year
A MUM-OF-TWO tragically died from an infection she caught after scratching the back of her hand while gardening.
Lucy Smith, from Billericay, Essex, died last year at the age of 44 - just days after the gardening graze started to make her feel ill.
The family law solicitor and her fiancé Darren O'Neill had just bought a new home when she was struck down with Sepsis - a condition that is responsible for 44,000 deaths a year, which is more than bowel, breast and prostate cancer combined.
Lucy was a mother to small children Megan, nine, and George, six, when she died of the potentially life threatening infection.
The ordeal began when Lucy got a small cut on the back of her hand, which family members believe was caused by gardening.
Just a few days later she fell critically ill and sadly passed away on April 1 in an A&E unit.
The tragic mum's family are now committed to raising awareness about the 'silent killer' condition, which is also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia and is triggered by an infection or injury.
RELATED STORIES
Urging people to look out for symptoms, Lucy's sister Caroline said: "Don't underestimate this prolific killer. Every year in the UK there are 150,000 cases of Sepsis, resulting in a staggering 44,000 deaths.
"People don't realise that there are many causes of Sepsis. For example, from an infection, usually with an illness, like diabetes or cancer, or an injury like, in Lucy's case, a cut or a scrape."
"It can, however, also be caused by an infection following a routine surgery procedure."
Lucy's story highlights that a crucial aspect of Sepsis is treating it early, if symptoms appear.
The scratch had been on Lucy's hand for just a week before she visited her GP to complain about pain in her shoulder.
A trapped nerve was identified and she was put on antidepressants. She then saw a chiropractor on the same day and was sent home after receiving acupuncture - despite her vomiting and being in visible pain.
A few days later, Lucy's fingers and arms had become very swollen and she continued to vomit regularly.
A GP diagnosed her with a possible blood clot and instructed her to go to A&E.
After a simple blood test in hospital, medics diagnosed her with Sepsis and placed her on intravenous antibiotics.
Sadly, Lucy's condition worsened over the next few days and she was placed on a ventilator in a critical care ward to assist with her breathing.
On her sixth day in hospital, her internal organs began to shut down and she suffered a cardiovascular, renal respiratory failure and died.
According to the coroner's report her death was due to a toxic shock caused by Sepsis.
Caroline said: "Had Lucy initially been given that simple blood test and received the treatment that she needed on Friday when she saw a GP I am convinced that the outcome would have been a positive one and that her children, Megan and George who are six and nine years old, would still have their wonderful, beautiful mummy."
She warned: "Sepsis can affect anyone at any age, although the young and old are at higher risk, everyone in-between can be struck down. Lucy was excellent in health and just approaching her 44th birthday - no is immune.
"Busy doctors miss things, you need to be aware of the symptoms and not be fobbed off."
Caroline also set up a tribute Facebook page for her sister called I Love Lucy, In Memory of Lucy Smith.
Over 250 friends and family are members of the social media group, which was created to give those close to Lucy the opportunity to share memories.
In the group's description, Caroline wrote: "In Memory of my beautiful, funny, intelligent sister Lucy Smith, a wonderful, wonderful person, who will always remain in our hearts.
"This page is for to share between her friends and family. Please upload your pictures, share your memories of Lucy, funny and sad, and help to keep her memory alive."
Many touching tributes have been made on the page. Most recently Helen Reynolds - believed to be a close friend - said Lucy's story encouraged her to inform others about Sepsis.
She wrote: "A friend's just posted that her Dad's in hospital with bad chest pains from possibly badly pulled muscles.
"I've just told her to make sure they rule out blood poisoning. Now in floods of tears thinking about Lucy.
"But trying to remember the positive that I'm now such much more aware of septicaemia < and that Lucy would be laughing at me Googling to make sure I spelt it right!"
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.