Health

Woman Who Nearly Dies From Flesh Eating Bug Is Saved By Baking Soda

SWNS

Beatrice Johnson, a 60-year-old woman from Kent, England, recently found herself in a life-threatening situation that nearly cost her life.

Her remarkable story of survival, which she attributes to the simple ingredient of baking soda, has captured the attention of many. What began as a seemingly minor illness escalated into a dire medical emergency, ultimately leading to a miraculous recovery that defied the expectations of medical professionals.

Six months ago, Beatrice began to feel unwell with symptoms that included nausea and an upset stomach. Initially, these symptoms seemed relatively harmless, but as the day progressed, her condition rapidly worsened. Beatrice started to feel extremely weak and eve found it difficult to walk up the stairs in her home.

Recognizing that something was seriously wrong, she decided to seek medical help. She called an ambulance, and within 10 minutes, paramedics arrived to rush her to Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

“When paramedics came, they couldn’t find my blood pressure. They were surprised I was still conscious,” Beatrice recalled.

This alarming detail signaled just how critical her condition had become. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors quickly performed scans and tests, revealing that Beatrice was in septic shock, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ failure. In her case, her kidneys had already started to fail, and her situation was deteriorating rapidly.

The medical team immediately took action, placing Beatrice on life support and preparing her for dialysis, a treatment used to filter waste from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.

Despite these efforts, her condition continued to decline, and doctors feared the worst. Her family, including her three children, was called to the hospital to say their final goodbyes as it appeared that Beatrice might not survive the night.

However, in a last-ditch effort to save her life, the medical team decided to try an unconventional treatment. They introduced sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, into Beatrice’s IV drip.

Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes used as an alternative to dialysis in severe cases where traditional methods might not be sufficient. This decision would prove to be a turning point in Beatrice’s battle for survival.

To everyone’s astonishment, the treatment worked. Within just a few days, Beatrice’s condition began to improve dramatically. She emerged from the coma within a week, surprising both her doctors and her family.

“Within one day I was like another person,” Beatrice said, describing how quickly she began to feel better after the baking soda treatment. Her recovery was so rapid that she was soon taken off life support, and her health continued to improve each day.

“I never thought something so simple would save my life,” Beatrice reflected. “I really thought I was going to die. I’m thankful they never gave up on my life. The baking soda made me rise like a cake! No one thought I’d be here today.”

Her words convey not only her gratitude but also the profound sense of disbelief that such as common household item could play such a crucial role in saving her life.

Despite the remarkable recovery, Beatrice’s ordeal was not without its challenges. After regaining consciousness, she received the shocking news that the tip of her nose had been eaten away by necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but extremely dangerous bacterial infection often referred to as a “flesh-eating bug.”
This aggressive infection spreads quickly and can cause severe tissue damage or even death if not treated promptly. Fortunately, the doctors were able to stop the spread of the infection with antibiotics, and Beatrice’s nose is now healing.

After spending a total of 43 days in the hospital, Beatrice was finally discharged, much to the relief and joy of her family. Her journey from the brink of death to recovery is nothing short of miraculous, and she credits the medica team’s persistence and the unexpected use of baking soda for her survival.

“I’m shocked that I’m still here. The recovery time was incredible, and I have the doctors to thank for that. I never thought baking soda would save my life.”

Beatrice’s story is a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of medicine and the resilience of the human body. It also highlights the importance of innovative thinking in the medical field, as sometimes unconventional treatments can lead to life-saving outcomes. While baking soda is widely known for its household uses, its role in Beatrice’s recovery has brought newfound attention to its potential medical applications.

Today, Beatrice is on the road to a full recovery, living with her sister and regaining her strength each day. Her experience has left a lasting impact on her, not only physically but emotionally as well.

The ordeal has given her a renewed appreciation for life and a deep sense of gratitude towards the medical professionals who fought to keep her alive. Beatrice’s journey from near death to recovery is a testament to the power of hope, determination, and the sometimes surprising solutions that can emerge in the face of life’s greatest challenges.