A mother-of-one who thought she was preserving her health by opting for a double mastectomy has revealed how instead she almost lost her life to a flesh-eating bug.
Alicia Wertez, 37, decided to have the drastic breast surgery after doctors found pre-cancerous cells but just 38 days later after the operation she was diagnosed with the potentially fatal necrotizing fasciitis.
The 37-year-old says she’s been left disfigured by the flesh-eating bug which became so bad, her left nipple fell off during a bandage change and her breasts were covered in ‘puss-filled’ sores.
Alicia Wertez, 37, from Florida, went into hospital in the spring of 2015 after she found a second suspicious lump in her breast. Doctors agreed that she should have a preventative double mastectomy but she quickly developed potentially deadly flesh-eating bug necrotizing fasciitis
‘Rotting away’: Her left breast was particularly badly affected by the disease – and Wertez watched in horror as her left nipple fell off during a bandage change
Now, Wertez, a former animal control officer, is warning others about the deadly bug to try and increase earlier diagnoses of the disease.
The Florida native says she knew something was wrong instantly after waking up from her double mastectomy surgery ‘in agony’ buy her treatment didn’t begin until an official diagnosis over a month later.
She says as the weeks went on, her chest became increasingly inflamed and her skin even started to turn purple.
After her late diagnosis, Alicia was told by doctors that she needed emergency surgery to have the deep tissue infection removed.
However, it was too late, her breast tissue had been destroyed and was so rotten, Alicia’s left nipple even fell off during a bandage change.
After undergoing a further six operations to save her life, Alicia has been left severely disfigured by the flesh-eating bacteria.
Wertez said: ‘I was trying to prevent my chances of getting breast cancer but I ended up with a deadly flesh-eating disease.
Wertez has been left permanently disfigured by the flesh-eating bug which required her to have another operation after it spread to her chest muscle and lung
Wertz says she waited over a month for a diagnosis and hopes sharing her story will help others to push for a quicker reaction to such a disease
‘It was a nightmare as my breasts were rotting more every day, they were both purple and covered in puss filled spots.
‘I was reassured by doctors and nurses who said it was normal but I was in agony.
‘I started taking photos every morning and night as it was shocking how quickly my boobs were deteriorating, especially my left one.
‘I was finally diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis 38 days after my first operation.
‘I had five further surgeries to save my life and correct the damage caused by the flesh eating bug.
I was horrified every time I looked down as my breasts, especially my left one…
‘My left nipple fell off into my hands after a bandage change, my flesh was so rotten that chunks were just dropping off daily.
‘After numerous surgeries, I have been left disfigured by the disease and seeing my chest every day is a constant reminder.
‘But I have been extremely lucky to have survived.’
Alicia’s ordeal started on March 4 2015 after she sought medical advice after finding another suspicious lump in her boob.
She added: ‘I’d wanted a mastectomy for years as they’d found pre-cancerous cells years before.
‘But the specialist finally agreed when I found yet another lump, I had no idea what was about to unfold.
‘Seven days after my first surgery, I was told that everything was healing well but I knew it didn’t look right.
Lucky to be alive: Wertz says both of her breasts were attacked by the bug, which left her with ‘chunks’ of flesh dropping off ‘daily’
By November 2015, the mother-of-one was well enough to have implants put into her breasts but she says she still suffers from painful breasts because of the infection
‘I was put on a low dose of anti-biotics but it wasn’t until four weeks after my first surgery that I was told I needed another operation to clean up a possible infection.
‘At home I relied on my husband, Mac, 32 and daughter, Cathrin, 10, to help me do everything as I struggled to get out of bed, eat, get dressed or change my bandages.
‘I was horrified every time I looked down as my breasts, especially my left one.
‘Once I was finally diagnosed I was rushed down to theatre on April 10 as the infection had spread towards my lungs and in my chest muscle.
‘The 30 day intense medication was so strong that my hair fell out and my skin went horrifically dry.
‘My organs began shutting down and I became extremely close to death.
‘I was in and out of hospital for six weeks and for a few months, I had no left breast at all. I had the implants reinserted on November 18 2015 but I still have daily pain.’
Alicia is sharing her story to raise awareness for necrotizing fasciitis after she was undiagnosed for 38 days.
She added: ‘I had all the symptoms such as low blood pressure, pain, swelling, and blisters. Both my boobs were eaten away by this disease but I’m lucky to have survived.
‘I hope other women read my story and make themselves aware of this type of complication.’