Ipoh Woman Loses Life Savings & All 4 Limbs While Working As A Beautician In Singapore
A bacterial infection triggered sepsis, leading to the need for amputation.
By Sadho Ram — 05 Jun 2024, 12:38 PM
A woman from Ipoh, Malaysia, who had built a life in Singapore as a beautician after moving there in 2016, has lost everything — her life savings and all four limbs — due to a bacterial infection that caused sepsis
According to Shin Min Daily News, the 37-year-old woman said she began feeling ill in October last year.
Initially, Lin Ai Ling (transliterated from Mandarin) experienced just a fever, along with stomachache and general weakness. However, when her condition didn't improve after seeing a doctor, she went back.
"I thought I had food poisoning, and the doctor prescribed me some medicines. However, during the second visit, the doctor noticed that something was wrong with me and sent me to the emergency room. I lost consciousness afterwards," the Singapore Chinese daily quoted Lin as saying yesterday, 4 June.
When she woke up, she was surrounded by her family members, who had rushed to the hospital. Lim was informed that she was critically ill, and the doctors told her family to be mentally prepared.
According to the doctors, Lin had contracted a bacterial infection that was slowly killing her.
Lin said her heart had become very weak, and her brain wasn't receiving enough oxygen. She was at risk of experiencing brain death.
The doctors suggested that Lin receive an injection to improve blood flow to her heart and ensure continued brain function. However, they also warned that it might lead to the loss of certain body parts.
Initially, her family thought that Lin might only need to have her fingers amputated, but as her limbs gradually turned black, it became evident that she would require amputation of all four limbs.
"I watched as my hands and feet turned black, became heavy, and even felt out of control. The doctors said the cells had died and the bacterial infection had caused sepsis, so amputation was necessary to save my life.
"I then made the decision [to undergo an operation] and had both my hands amputated on 29 November last year, and both my legs amputated on 19 December," Lin said while breaking down in tears.
Without limbs, Lin has now also depleted her life savings, having spent RM1.04 million on medical expenses to survive
"Now that I have no income, I can only rely on my sister to take care of me," she said, expressing gratitude for the support her family and former employer have provided.
"It was hard to accept at first, and I didn't want to see my friends, but later, it was their support that helped me get through it. I have to stay strong and live on," Lin said, her voice choked with sadness.
According to her mother, what's more important is that Lin maintains a positive mindset.
Lim has started using prosthetic legs, which cost her over RM52,000
She said that the cost of purchasing prosthetic limbs for both her hands and legs is more expensive than she could afford right now, so she's only relying on her prosthetic legs, for which she's paying installments.
