The heartbroken parents of a young school worker shared the final messages she sent from her hospital bed before she died.
Bethannie Booth died after falling unwell with cold and flu symptoms. The 24-year-old, from South Wales, first felt poorly on March 2 and her symptoms deteriorated rapidly over the next few days.
She was taken to hospital after struggling to breathe and was immediately taken into resuscitation, and then the intensive care unit where it was discovered her lung had collapsed as a result of a Strep A infection.
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The primary school worker became poorly on World Book Day and contacted 111 to discuss her symptoms, including red bumps on her face. But she was told it was likely acne.
A few days later she rang again and was advised to go to hospital. When she arrived at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant where it was found she had a collapsed lung and her other organs were starting to shut down.
She was put in a coma before being transferred to Guy's and St Thomas Hospital in London where she spent two and half weeks on an extra corporeal membrane oxygenation machine (ECMO) which uses an artificial lung, essentially breathing for the patient. She also underwent surgery to repair a hole which had opened in her lung.
After her time on the ECMO Bethannie showed good progress and was able to come off the machine and be transferred back to the Royal Glamorgan. Sadly, five days later, sepsis returned and Bethannie died surrounded by her family, Wales Online reports.
Bethannie's parents, Wayne and Leanne Booth, spoke of their heartbreak, describing their world as "shattered" following their loss. Bethannie was the youngest of three daughters and was dearly loved by her older sisters Megan, 25 and Nia-Ffion, 27 and younger brother, Corey, 10. She was an auntie to Parker, three, Caled, four months, and Myles, nine weeks. Her sister Megan said Bethannie loved her nephews so much.
Devastatingly Megan revealed that before her sister was put in a coma Bethannie sent her older sister Nia-Ffion a text message which said she thought she was going to die and gave instructions for what she wanted at her funeral.
Megan said: "When she first went into hospital she was on a drip. She was still awake and on her phone – she was taking videos of herself messing around. Before she was put under she sent Nia-Ffion a message with all her passwords then sent a message which said: 'I think I am going to die'."
Bethannie also sent her dad a final message, using her nickname for him, which said: "Fat boy don't worry, I will see you on the other side." Mum Leanne also received a message from Beth, saying: "Mammy don't worry I will be fine I promise, I love you so much Mam."
Bethannie had been back in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital for around five days before her condition deteriorated. Wayne said that he, Leanne, Nia-Ffion and Megan were all there holding her hand when she died.
They praised the doctors at both Guy's and St Thomas Hospital and the Royal Glamorgan Hospital for doing all they can to help them and her and thanked everyone from the consultants to the cleaners.
Bethannie's family have shared her story to raise awareness of sepsis and the signs people should look out for. You can read about the signs and symptoms of sepsis here.
A fundraiser has been set up to support Bethannie's family with funeral costs at this devastating time. You can make a donation here.
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