A BRAVE mum had 30 per cent of her torso flesh, tissue and muscle removed in a lifesaving operation after contracting a flesh-eating infection.

Becky Felton, 31, of Porters Field, Braintree, complained of pain in her shoulder and was referred for X-rays, but nothing showed up. She attended an out-ofhours clinic when she started being sick and was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.

The pain worsened the next day, so husband Chris took her to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, A&E, where she was diagnosed with the necrotising fasciitis disease.

Gazette:

   Mrs Felton fighting the infection in hospital

Mr Felton said: “Her blood pressure was so low her body had gone into toxic shock. All her organs had started shutting down. She went for a CT scan and they found abnormalities, which suggested an abscess.

“The next day I was told she needed surgery. She had necrotising fasciitis in the left of her torso.

The infection was progressing an inch an hour. The only cure was to cut it away.”

Mrs Felton was under sedation for two weeks while she had operations to prevent the infection spreading. She also had a skin graft from her legs to cover her wound.

She is awaiting reconstructive surgery, almost a year after the infection struck.

The couple are working with the charity, the Lee Spark NF Foundation, to raise public and medical awareness of the condition. Mr Felton said: “It’s so rare, but our aim is to get doctors to take the risk seriously and do all the tests.” Mrs Felton said: “Had doctors known what they were looking for, it might not have taken so long to diagnose.”

A spokesman for Primecare, which runs the out-of-hours clinic in Springfield, which diagnosed gastroenteritis, said: “This is a tragic incident involving a very rare disease, to which we have responded in full to Mrs Felton.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Mrs Felton and her family.’’

Chris will take part in the Three Peaks Challenge in September to raise money for the foundation. To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/3peakcrew and for more information visit nfsuk.org.uk