In a shocking turn of events, a seemingly minor scrape suffered during a leisurely day at the Gulf of Mexico led to a life-altering ordeal for 72-year-old Debbie King from Florida. Her encounter with the insidious Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria, resulted in the amputation of her leg, ultimately highlighting the lurking dangers in the state’s coastal waters. This is her story of survival and resilience.

On that fateful summer day, August 13th, Debbie King was relishing a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As she clambered back onto a friend’s boat, she brushed against something beneath the surface, resulting in a minor scrape on her shin. King thought little of it and hastily bandaged the wound. However, what followed would become a nightmare she never saw coming.

The very next day, she noticed her leg had turned a shade of red, and the area around the wound was starting to feel sore. Attributing the discomfort to a mild sunburn, King decided to soldier on. But within three days, the situation took a dire turn. The redness had transformed into angry, blistered patches that rapidly spread across her leg.

Desperation set in as she found herself in the emergency room. Doctors, after careful examination, confirmed the presence of Vibrio vulnificus, a potent and severe infection known to wreak havoc on the flesh around open wounds. It was a race against time as King was rushed to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital.

The situation was grim, with her surgeon delivering a heart-wrenching ultimatum to her husband, Jim: amputate the leg or risk losing her life. With no other options available, King’s leg was amputated above the knee, a life-altering decision that marked the beginning of a grueling journey to recovery.

Speaking about the terrifying ordeal, King recounted, “The flesh was gone; it was just bone.” It was a stark reminder of the life-threatening capabilities of Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterial infection that can enter the body through exposure to saltwater or brackish water or via the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, with oysters being a particularly common carrier. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Vibriosis, while not typically fatal, causes approximately 100 deaths and 80,000 illnesses each year in the United States. Most cases occur between May and October when water temperatures are warmer.

Debbie King’s ordeal did not end with the amputation. Post-surgery, doctors discovered that the infection had spread more extensively than initially thought, leading to a diagnosis of sepsis. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, is characterized by an extreme and overactive response to an infection by the body.

For four agonizing days, King fought sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit. The former radiation protection technician, known for her independence, suddenly found herself reliant on a wheelchair and the assistance of others, grappling with a profound loss of identity.

Her emotional turmoil reached its zenith when she was transferred to a rehabilitation facility, where she spent a morning in uncontrollable tears. However, it was here that she found an unexpected source of strength in the form of the hospital’s consulting psychologist, Gerald Todoroff. He offered her crucial guidance, emphasizing that amputation doesn’t define who she is but rather what she can learn to overcome. Those words were a turning point for King, who described them as “magic words” that infused her with a newfound sense of purpose.

Through relentless determination and ongoing physical therapy, King has made substantial progress in her recovery journey. She now harbors hopes of walking again with a prosthetic leg, even affectionately nicknaming her amputated limb “Peg.” Her story is now one of resilience and optimism as she hopes to raise awareness about the grave risks of flesh-eating bacteria.

“This is the most horrific thing that can happen to anybody,” King acknowledged, but added, “God put you here for a reason — you’ve got more things to do.” Her story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, determination, and the ability to overcome adversity.