Manjit Sangha's homecoming was nothing short of triumphant. After 32 grueling weeks confined to Ward 9 at Moseley Hall in Birmingham, the 56-year-old sepsis survivor finally returned to her family in Penn, a community on the Wolverhampton/Staffordshire border. The welcome was fit for a hero, a testament to her incredible resilience. Medical professionals had initially given her almost no chance of survival, yet she defied every expectation. Her journey, however, came at an immense cost: both legs amputated below the knee and both hands removed, along with her spleen. Now, as she faces the monumental task of rebuilding her life, Manjit has made it her mission to serve as a living warning about sepsis, a condition she insists "could happen to anybody."
The suspected culprit behind this life-altering chain of events was startlingly mundane. Doctors believe Manjit's sepsis may have originated from something as innocent as a lick from her dog on a small cut or scratch. This seemingly harmless interaction between pet and owner potentially introduced bacteria into her bloodstream, triggering a catastrophic immune response. It's a stark reminder that danger can lurk in everyday moments. The former pharmacy worker, accustomed to managing medications and health conditions for others, never imagined she would become a victim of such a rapid and devastating infection. The incident underscores how vulnerable our bodies can be, even to the affectionate gestures of a beloved pet. Medical experts note that while such cases are rare, they highlight the importance of proper wound care, no matter how minor the injury appears.
The speed of Manjit's deterioration was nothing short of terrifying. Having worked seven days a week, she arrived home on a Sunday afternoon in July last year feeling slightly unwell. Within hours, her condition plummeted. By Monday morning, she had slipped into unconsciousness. Her husband Kam Sangha, 60, witnessed the horrifying transformation firsthand. "One minute on a Saturday she's playing with the dog, Sunday she's gone to work, Monday night she's in a coma," he recounted, still seemingly in disbelief. The physical manifestations were severe: her extremities were ice-cold, her lips had turned an alarming shade of purple, and her breathing became increasingly labored. Kam described the psychological torment of those hours: "Your mind is all over the place. You're thinking 'how can this happen in less than 24 hours?'" The rapid progression from mild discomfort to life-threatening coma exemplifies sepsis's most dangerous characteristic—its ability to overwhelm the body in mere hours, leaving families stunned by the suddenness of it all.
At New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, Manjit's battle for survival reached critical intensity. While in intensive care, her heart stopped six times—a medical miracle that she survived each cardiac arrest. The sepsis had triggered a systemic inflammatory response that was shutting down her organs one by one. Surgeons at Russells Hall Hospital in neighboring Dudley faced an impossible choice: amputate or watch her die. They removed both legs below the knee and both hands, sacrifices necessary to stop the spread of infection and save her life. The complications didn't end there. Manjit also lost her spleen to the disease, developed pneumonia, and later discovered gallstones that might require additional surgery. "I didn't know what was happening," she explained, her memory of those early weeks still blank. "The first month I do not remember anything." The medical team at Moseley Hall provided weeks of rehabilitation, helping her adjust to her new reality while celebrating each small victory in her recovery journey.
Sepsis remains one of the most misunderstood and dangerous medical emergencies facing the public today. This rare but serious condition occurs when the body's immune system, designed to protect against disease and infection, malfunctions and begins attacking its own tissues and organs. The NHS explicitly warns that it is life-threatening and notoriously difficult to spot in its early stages. According to the UK Sepsis Trust, the country sees approximately 50,000 sepsis-related deaths annually—a staggering number that highlights the need for greater public awareness and education. Key symptoms in adults include slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, severe breathlessness, and skin that appears mottled or discolored. Manjit's experience perfectly illustrates why early recognition is critical; by the time obvious symptoms appear, the condition may already be advanced. The potential source—a dog's lick—demonstrates how any break in the skin can become an entry point for dangerous bacteria, making vigilance essential even in seemingly safe situations.
Throughout the ordeal, Kam Sangha proved to be an unwavering pillar of support. The Screwfix distribution worker took seven months off work to remain by his wife's side, navigating the complex emotional and practical challenges of her recovery. "She's so strong," he said with evident pride. The couple faced heartbreaking milestones during her hospitalization, spending their 37th wedding anniversary and Manjit's birthday around Christmas time within the hospital walls. Kam admitted that for many days, he believed he might lose her. "Every day was like 'she's going to go today' but she proved us wrong every single day with what she's been through." His dedication highlights the often-overlooked impact of severe illness on families and caregivers, who become essential partners in the recovery process.
Now beginning the arduous process of rehabilitation, Manjit is determined to transform her tragedy into a warning for others. "It's difficult to explain the experience," she admitted. "Losing your limbs and your hands in a short time period is a very big thing. It's very serious and not to be taken lightly." Her message is clear: sepsis does not discriminate and can strike from the most ordinary circumstances. The couple has launched a fundraising campaign for advanced prosthetics, including potentially robotic hands that could restore some independence. These cutting-edge devices come with a daunting price tag, potentially costing tens of thousands of pounds, but represent hope for a more functional future. Manjit's story serves as a crucial public service announcement, urging people to recognize sepsis symptoms early and seek immediate medical attention without hesitation.
The road ahead remains challenging, but Manjit Sangha's survival and determination offer inspiration to countless others. Her experience demonstrates both the fragility of life and the remarkable strength of the human spirit. As she learns to navigate the world without her hands and lower legs, she carries a message that could save countless lives: awareness, vigilance, and rapid response are the best defenses against sepsis's silent threat. Her quadruple amputation, while devastating, has given her a powerful platform to educate others about a condition that claims thousands of lives each year. In sharing her story, Manjit hopes to spare others from the same fate, turning personal tragedy into a beacon of warning and hope for the future.