In March 2020, what started as an ordinary case of the flu quickly became a life-changing ordeal for Kristin Fox.
The 42-year-old mother of two and Ohio high school principal got the flu and thought it would only last a few days. However, a few days later, it was clear that this wasn’t the case. This wasn’t just a passing flu.
Fox’s condition took a severe turn despite receiving a glue vaccine in November of the previous year.
Due to her deteriorating state, her family, along with a nurse friend, rushed her to the hospital. In less than 30 minutes after reaching the hospital, Fox found herself hooked to a ventilator.
Not long after, the medical team discovered that she was already in septic shock. This is a life-threatening condition causing organ failure and decreased blood pressure. As the day passed, Fox’s life was hanging by a thread.
Therefore, the medical team decided to put her in a medically induced coma to increase her chances of living. They also brought in a priest to pray for her soul, as they did not expect her to make it through the coming days.
As the situation progressed, the team started looking for possible options to save Fox and decided on the best possible route: amputation.
“The doctors told my family they should prepare for the loss of some fingers or toes because they were pulling so much from my extremities to try to keep my organs alive,” Fox said. Therefore, Fox underwent a double amputation surgery. First, her legs were amputated below the knees, and two weeks later, her arms were amputated too.
Since the surgeons amputated below her joints, Fox still has a considerable amount of range of motion. After the surgeries, she took a while to tell her children, who were 9 and 6 years old at the time.
“They literally wrapped me like a mummy because I didn’t want my kids to see — I hadn’t told them yet about losing my arms and legs,” she recalled.
Against all odds, Fox survived. She emerged from her medically induced coma, shocking the doctors who thought she wouldn’t make it.
Her recovery was not without setbacks, as she suffered a lung collapse, but she pressed on. Some weeks later, Fox sought physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute.
There, she underwent intense therapy sessions for three hours every day. Again, this process was challenging, but Fox and her fighting spirit persevered.
In October 2020, seven months after her harrowing ordeal began, Fox received prosthetics for her arms and legs. The 50 Legs organization in Orlando, Florida, provided these custom-made prosthetics for her, marking a turning point in her life. The tailored support also improved her quality of life, making it easier for her to perform her daily activities.
Today, Fox lives a happy life and is grateful to be alive, watching her kids grow. Her journey is a testament to the strength of her spirit and the impact of a strong support system.