Young woman dies just days after developing a cough as…

Young woman dies just days after developing a cough as her twin sister mourns her 'best friend'

A young woman who developed a cough and began struggling to breathe back in February 2020 ended up passing away after being admitted to the ICU.

Her identical twin sister explained how she died suddenly after contracting an infection and has now spoken of the loss of her best friend.

Chloe Franklin developed a cough and was referred straight to University Hospital Llandough for further tests before being given a course of antibiotics.

Just 24 hours later the 21-year-old was placed in intensive care where her condition continued to deteriorate, and three days later was placed in an induced coma, according to WalesOnline.

Her twin sister Courtney said: "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, 23, from Cardiff, said Chloe was due to start a new job as a receptionist but really wanted to be a children's nurse. "In fact, she has inspired me to train [to be a nurse] and I start university in September.

Young woman dies just days after developing a cough as her twin sister mourns her 'best friend' (Courtney Franklin)

"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 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."

Courtney then revealed that she has now signed up for the Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon and is running in aid of the bereavement charity 2Wish, which provides support for those affected by the sudden death of a young person.

"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," Courtney said.

"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."