Heart breaking tributes have been paid to a young woman who 'was too sweet for this world' that tragically died weeks after developing cold and flu symptoms.
Bethannie Booth devastatingly sent loving goodbye messages to her family before she was put in a coma after developing sepsis while suffering with a severe Strep A infection.
The 24-year-old from Merthyr Tydfil even left instructions for her own funeral before she sadly passed away in intensive care on March 31 after five weeks of fighting her illness. Bethannie first started feeling poorly on March 2 and her health massively deteriorated over the next few days, Wales Online reports.
She was rushed to the Royal Glamorgan 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.
The primary school worker who's been described as someone 'who would do anything for anyone' passed away surrounded by her parents, Wayne and Leanne Booth and her older sisters who held her hand as she died.
Her devastated parents have spoken of how their world has been 'shattered' following the loss of their beautiful daughter. Bethannie was the youngest of three daughters and was dearly loved by her older sisters Megan, 25 and Nia-Ffion, 27 and her younger brother, Corey, 10.
She also recently became an auntie to her third nephew Myles, nine weeks along with Parker, three and Caled, four months. Paying tribute to his daughter 'Betts', Wayne said: "I have only one way I can explain Beth – imagine the best female has got the biggest angel wings, who would do anything for anyone, from a man living on the streets to a man in a mansion.
"She was so loved – the children [in her school] loved her, our grandchildren loved her. She had that wicked streak – we called her the weekend offender. She was professional from Monday to Thursday – she would go to work, be in bed by 9pm.
"Come Saturday then the music would be on by dinner time, there would be 20,000 girls and boy friends coming in and out of the house. They say the best get taken from us first – God needs his angels. It has ripped us all apart."
Her mother, Leanne added: "She's a character but she's the best friend you could ever have." Bethannie had fallen ill during World Book Day while working in a primary school and had contacted 111 to discuss her symptoms but was told it was likely acne as she reported having red bumps on her face.
A few days later she phoned again and was advised to go to hospital and when she arrived at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant she was taken straight to the ICU. Doctors discovered she had a collapsed lung and other organs had started 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 ecmo (extra corporeal membrane oxygenation) machine which uses an artificial lung which essentially allows the patient to keep breathing. She also underwent surgery after developing a hole in her lung.
After her time on the machine, Bethannie was showing good progress and was able to come off it and was transferred back to the Royal Glamorgan. Wayne said the doctor even told them it was very unlikely she would die at this point but she had a long road to recovery ahead.
However, her sepsis sadly returned five days later and was 'uncontrollable' and Bethannie died surrounded by her family. Megan added that while Bethannie was in hospital the kids at the school she worked at all wrote touching cards and messages to her.
She said: "The one thing they all said was how much she made them laugh. She was the life of the party – she didn't take anything seriously. She was the most stubborn person but with the biggest heart – she was too sweet for the world.
"She was an absolute nuisance on a night out – she captured everything on her phone. She would give a piece of herself to everyone." Megan also 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.
She continued: "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'."
The 24-year-old also sent her dad a final goodbye message where she used her nickname for him, which said: "Fat boy don't worry, I will see you on the other side." Leanne also received a message from daughter, saying: "Mammy don't worry I will be fine I promise, I love you so much Mam."
Beth had only been back in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital for around five days before her condition worsened. The family have 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 for their support from the consultants to the cleaners.
Beth's family are keen to raise awareness about sepsis and the signs that people should recognise and get medical help for. You can read about the signs and symptoms of sepsis here. A fundraiser has also been set up to help support Bethannie's family with funeral costs. You can make a donation here.
Heart warming tributes on the page to the 'inspirational' 24-year-old show how loved Bethannie was by everyone who knew her. Helen and Shaun Phillips said: "Boothy girl. You were not only my workmate but more importantly my friend. I couldn't ask for a more loyal, funny, inspirational, vivacious person who I'm privileged to call my friend.
"I will always miss you my darling beautiful girl. You show them up there how to party because you sure knew how to do it on earth."
Koolers, a Merthyr nightclub Bethannie used to visit, also paid tribute to her. In a statement they said: "We would like to give our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bethannie Booth. Anyone who knew Beth would definitely agree she was the life and soul of any party.
"She would light up any room she entered with her kind heart, infectious smile, and funny jokes. You will definitely be missed by many! We will be raising a toast in your honour tonight as we all knew you loved a Saturday night out."
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