Sheree Ward was devastated when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But the mum-of-two’s nightmarish journey was far from over.
The discovery set in motion a series of tragedies that shocked her family to its core.
Just weeks after Sheree’s diagnosis, her fit and healthy husband, Mark, 54, suddenly contracted a virulent strain of superbug MRSA, which led to sepsis. Eight days later, he tragically passed away.
Suddenly facing a cancer battle alone while in deep grief, Sheree – from North Canterbury, NZ – mustered all of her strength for the sake of her kids, James, 20, and Kate, 17, and underwent a double mastectomy.
During her recovery, she too developed sepsis. By complete chance, Sheree survived the same deadly bug that killed her husband.
Now, she’s encouraging others to recognise the signs of the killer infection – saying every minute counts when it comes to sepsis.
“It’s been an unimaginably heartbreaking six months, but I have to remain positive for my children and live every day as it comes,” she tells New Idea.
“I want to highlight that mammograms save lives and sepsis can kill. If anyone has chills or a fever, seek medical attention because every minute counts.”
This story is from the February 8, 2021 edition of New Idea.
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This story is from the February 8, 2021 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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