An identical twin died less than a week after visiting her GP with a persistent cough.
Chloe Franklin, 21, began developing a cough in February 2020 that made it difficult for her to breathe. She made a routine doctor's appointment and, following the check-up, was referred straight to hospital for further tests and given a course of antibiotics.
Just 24 hours later, when her condition failed to improve, Chloe, from Cardiff, was taken to intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales. Three days later, she was placed in an induced coma.
READ MORE: Woman, 22, found dead in Adelphi Hotel room as three men arrested
Her twin sister, Courtney, 23, told WalesOnline : "She had a severe infection in her lungs and the doctors said the induced coma would give her lungs a break and allow her to heal.
"As the week progressed, they thought it was working and started to bring her off sedation. Unfortunately, she then developed sepsis and later had a massive stroke, which was so severe that the neurosurgeons could not operate.
"We were told she was brain dead and there was nothing more they could do. This all happened in just a week."
Courtney said Chloe was due to start a new job as a receptionist but really wanted to be a children's nurse. The 23-year-old has taken inspiration from her sister and will start training to be a nurse at university later this month.
She said: "We were joined at the hip and did everything together. She was my best friend and the one person I never imagined not being here.
"Every summer, when we were kids, we'd go on PGL holidays together and made so many memories on brilliant adventures. It's hard to accept she isn't here anymore.
"Unless you have a twin – and we were identical – it's hard to understand that friendship. It's a bond like no other. She was the same as me – we had the same hobbies, we looked the same. To lose that after 21 years is a very lonely thing to go through."
During lockdown, after Chloe had died, Courtney channelled her energy into running and has now signed up for the Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon, during which the only one person on her mind will be her sister. She is running in aid of the bereavement charity 2Wish, which provides support for those affected by the sudden death of a young person.
Courtney said: "They really helped us with the loss of my sister. They created memory boxes for each of us - my mum and dad, my younger brother and me.
"Inside, they had put an elephant, a lock of her hair, a print of her hand, a trace of her heartbeat, a candle and a poem. It was such a thoughtful touch at the worst time of our lives.
"It was incredibly special – everything was so delicate and heavenly. I'm running for 2wish so that other families receive the support we did."
You can donate to Courtney’s JustGiving page here.
READ NEXT:
Guests wake to police 'banging' on doors after woman's body found in Adelphi Hotel
Full list of what you can and can't do as Britain enters national period of mourning
Burglar riffled through woman's home while she was at her dad's funeral
Nan locked up for £1.2million HMRC scam days after birth of first grandchild
