Before passing away in a hospital, a young woman with sepsis and Strep A sent goodbye letters to her loved ones.
Early in March, Bethannie Booth, 24, was suffering cold and flu symptoms.
When the primary school employee called 111 to discuss her concerns, the operator suggested that it might be acne because she had red pimples on her face.
Her health rapidly deteriorated over the course of many days.
After struggling to breathe, Bethanie from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, was transported to the hospital and placed in resuscitation before being transferred to an intensive care unit.
Doctors discovered she had a collapsed lung as a result of a Strep A infection.
She fought in hospital for five weeks before she died, surrounded by friends and family, on March 31.
Bethannie had sent messages saying goodbye to her family before she was put in a coma after developing sepsis, which came after the Strep A diagnosis.
She even gave instructions for her funeral.
Bethannie’s parents, Wayne and Leanne Booth, spoke of their heartbreak, describing their world as ‘shattered’ following their loss.
Talking about his primary school worker daughter ‘Betts’ Wayne told WalesOnline: ‘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.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection.
Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.
Call 999 or attend hospital if you or someone else has symptoms like:
- loss of consciousness
- severe breathlessness
- a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature
- a change in mental state – like confusion or disorientation
- slurred speech
- cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin
- a fast heartbeat
- fast breathing
- chills and shivering
- severe muscle pain
- feeling dizzy or faint
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea
‘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.’
Leanne added: ‘She’s a character but she’s the best friend you could ever have.’
Before she 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.
Bethannie also sent her dad a final message, lovingly using her nickname for him, which said: ‘Fat boy don’t worry, I will see you on the other side.’ Mam Leanne also received a message from Beth, saying: ‘Mammy don’t worry I will be fine I promise, I love you so much Mam.
Bethannie’s family really want people to learn more about sepsis and the signs that people should recognise and get medical help for.
A fundraiser has also been set up to support Bethannie’s family with funeral costs at this devastating time.