A woman was left fighting for her life after she tripped in her own home - as she was rushing to watch her favourite TV show.
Kelly Bates is a die-hard Emmerdale fan and her eyes were on the TV when she darted into the living room to watch the latest episode of the countryside-based soap.
But the mum, from Blackpool, didn't spot the cat toy on the floor and it sent her hurtling across the room and into a doorframe, causing catastrophic injuries to her nose.
Sitting in a pool of her own blood, the 40-year-old was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for urgent treatment.
She was discharged but seven months later, having believed she was healed, Kelly's nose suddenly swelled up and a life-threatening sepsis infection took hold – leaving Kelly on the brink of death.
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Kelly said: "I couldn't believe how close I'd come to death just from a broken nose. I am lucky to be alive, as the infection had travelled to the back of my head.
"If I had left it 48 hours more before seeking help, it would have gone to my brain and I could have died.
"When I first started deteriorating, I had friends telling me I should go to the doctor but I kept putting off as I didn't think it was that bad.
"I realise now that my stubbornness almost killed me.
"I used to love Emmerdale but I don't really watch TV anymore, as this has put me off watching any soaps.
"It's made me feel and look like a monster."
The traumatic tripping incident took place in January 2020.
At the time, Kelly didn't take much notice of her nose as the "searing" pain from her elbow took priority in her mind.
Speaking about the ordeal, she said: "I remember flying face-first into the living room door frame with an almighty crash.
"When my son came running down the stairs, his eyes widened with horror as he saw how much blood was everywhere.
"I felt very disorientated, so he called my parents [Helen, 58 and David, 59] who quickly arrived and took me to the hospital.
"I was given a sling for my fractured elbow after an X-ray and told to give my broken nose time to heal – but a couple of months later, my life turned upside down.
"My nose only got worse, to the point where it trebled in size due to the uncontrollable swelling, that was very painful."
Suffering from allergies, the mum believed her symptoms were simply hayfever but soon her nose was so painful she couldn't sleep at night.
With time, she became unable to smell or taste anything, lost her appetite and as a result, dropped over three stone in weight.
She said: "I felt like I was living my life on autopilot, being delirious at some points.
"Soon, I stopped leaving the house, as I grew self-conscious about my appearance.
"Due to my deteriorating health, I also lost my job."
Six months after the accident, Kelly took a selfie and sent it to her dad, who was horrified by the size of her nose and took her to hospital.
Within days, doctors diagnosed her with the life-threatening diagnosis of sepsis.
The mum claims she was given antibiotics and was discharged a week later.
But despite it having been over two years, she isn't out of the woods yet, as her condition has recently worsened.
Kelly added: "Now, there's a hole in my septum, as well as grisly lumps which cause blockages.
"I struggle to breathe or hear properly, with frequent bouts of fatigue and infections.
"Since, I've had MRI scans on my sinuses and blood tests to rule out any problems with my blood, as well as surgery to clear the inside of my nose in January.
"I've been told I'll need another operation at a later date to rebuild my septum, as the infection has worn it away.
"After over 18 months of back and forth, doctors still can't explain why I've suffered through all of this.
"It's affected me more than I could have ever imagined, as it's taken away all my confidence.
"I used to be a very happy-go-lucky woman and now, I'm short tempered, as well as stroppy with all my family.
"I'm sick of living in constant pain and I'm desperate to get back to my old self, but this ordeal has taught me that I'm stronger than I ever imagined.
"My heart was broken knowing I could have left my son without his mum, especially as we have such an amazing bond – but I'm so proud of him with how he's coped with everything.
"I'm so lucky to have him and a fantastic mum and dad who have put up with everything and supported me at every step along the way.
"No matter what, nothing will beat me."
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