An aspiring model has been dubbed a "warrior" by her family after losing both her legs from Covid-19 complications.
Claire Bridges had several emergency operations and a stint on life support, but sadly her legs still couldn't be saved after they suffered irreversible muscle damage.
The 20-year-old, from Tampa, Florida, was admitted to Tampa General hospital in January this year and her condition started to deteriorate rapidly over a two week period due to organ failure.
Claire, who was born with a congenital heart condition, was also diagnosed with myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, mild pneumonia, cyanosis and acidosis, Yahoo News reports.
She was given a TandemHeart – which helps to send a steady supply of oxygenated blood to organs – and hours after that was placed on continuous dialysis because of her failing kidneys.
As the complications worsened, so did the condition in her leg so doctors performed a fasciotomy to relieve the swelling and pressure.
Despite trying to save her legs, the damage was "too severe and irreversible", her dad Wayne Bridges revealed.
In February Ms Bridges, who is vaccinated, had both legs cut off above the knee.
"She wasn't getting circulation to her legs and, because of that, there was a lot of muscle damage," her best friend Heather Valdes told WTVT, Newsweek reported.
Doctors also discovered she was bleeding internally resulting in an emergency blood transfusion.
"They found a very rare lesion in the first part of the small intestines that had ruptured," her dad revealed on Facebook.
"Luckily they were able to fix it and stop the bleeding."
Despite the life-changing event, Ms Bridges remained positive according to family and friends who described her as an "amazing young woman" and a "warrior".
Her dad Wayne has detailed his daughter's journey on Facebook and revealed on March 17 that she was finally able to sit up herself for the first time since January.
"Two months to the day this all started and Claire, for the first time sat up by herself," he wrote on Facebook.
"It may not seem like a lot, but for this Warrior it's a major victory! And for this victory, it looks like our Warrior girl is coming home to her mom's house today for the rehab phase of her journey."
This week, Claire was released from hospital in time for her 21st birthday.
"She is very happy to be home around family and friends," Mr Bridges told Newsweek.
"It's been mentally, emotionally taxing but we're hopeful now. She is still facing more challenges but we are focused on having her home."
Mr Bridges said his daughter will require ongoing rehab with physical and occupational therapy. She will also need to prepare for prosthetic legs.
Mr Bridges set up a GoFundMe page for his daughter with hopes to raise £75,000 which will go towards Claire's medical and ongoing recovery expenses.
"I am so proud of you and inspired by you. You have overcome more in two months than any of us could imagine in a lifetime," Mr Bridges wrote in a touching tribute on Facebook.
"You will be climbing again before you know it."
