A Cork woman who had both of her legs amputated after suffering insect bites has said she is gradually learning to adjust since the surgery.
Josie Rowley first suffered the bites at her home last summer – but didn’t worry too much about them at first.
On Lunchtime Live she said things deteriorated very quickly over the following weeks – but she was never expected she would be facing amputation.
"The first thing I noticed when I was getting ready for bed was these two little marks on my left leg," she said.
"I didn't think anything of it because I thought [it was] an insect bite or something and you get them quite regularly, especially gardening.
"But by the morning they'd kind of doubled in size and still thinking they were insect bites I just put some vinegar on [them]."
Josie and Jen Rowley. Image: SuppliedMs Rowley said the bites got bigger and redder over the coming days and she went to the doctor about a week later.
"We did the course of antibiotics and had the compression bandages and some of my toes started going black which was very worrying," she said.
"I was sent up to the hospital just to get things checked out and then sent home after some tests.
"The following week another toe went black so [I went] back up to the hospital.
"During all these tests I was told that they couldn't amputate my toes because of the poor circulation in my lower legs."
'Extremely painful'
Ms Rowley said she tried several treatments including leech therapy.
"That didn't help at all really - I had three sessions of that," she said.
"When he put the leeches on my foot it was extremely painful.
"But then over the coming days the hole from the leeches hadn't closed up and the bites had turned into welts a while before.
"They were very, very sore and then got this massive blister right across my leg".
Amputation
Ms Rowley said getting her legs amputated was not something she had considered.
"It wasn't a route I was wanting to go down because obviously it's a major change in your lifestyle, she said.
"Eventually the pain just got so bad and having tried other avenues I just said to my daughter that I just can't bear it anymore.
"The ulcers appeared on my left leg first and then after a few weeks they came on my right leg as well.
"I had to resign myself to the fact that the doctors are right, that's the only solution".
Jen and Josie Rowley. Image: SuppliedMs Rowley said she is coping quite well since the surgery.
"I've had tremendous support from family and friends; the doctors and nurses are just absolutely amazing," she said.
"[They] did all they could to help and the help and encouragement after wards.
"It was a gradual process from manoeuvring from the bed into a wheelchair and getting used to that".
Josie Rowley. Image: SuppliedMs Rowley is now staying with her daughter Jen who said her mother has had great support.
"Everyone's just been fantastic; it’s amazing really, the kindness of strangers and the helpfulness of all the physios, OTs and the doctors and nurses," she said.
"They couldn't be more helpful so we're blessed in that way".
Jen said they are hoping to get their mother a wheelchair accessible car to help her get around.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with costs.
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