A mum has revealed the harrowing ordeal she suffered after nearly losing her life to a "decomposing" pancreas - and claims the pain was "worse than childbirth".
When Samantha Lewis started experiencing "excruciating" chest pains daily, she believed an infection had taken hold. But months later, her life was hanging in the balance.
Prior to her diagnosis, the mum-of-three sought out medical advice for her symptoms and as her scans came back all clear, she continued on with her daily life and career as a children's entertainer.
But in February 2022, only nine months after her initial check up, she recalls waking up in a cold sweat, where she believed she was having a heart attack and was rushed to hospital.
Samantha, aged 37, believed she'd be sent home after a few tests, but soon, her darkest fears were confirmed when medics informed her she was on the brink of death.
"I was told that my condition was so serious that I might not make it and my heart shattered," the mum, from Poole, Dorset, said.
"I remember the pain being worse than childbirth and it was so bad, that I had to have an epidural to help ease everything.
"It was my worst nightmare going in there, as I thought I would be going home that same day and I couldn't help but panic about my kids.
"I love being a mum and having them depend on me - but little did I know my prison sentence had only begun and the battle for my life was on."
Before being admitted to hospital, the mum to Lewis, 14, Romeo, 11, and Sammy, seven, recalls experiencing the aforementioned chest pains for months, which started in May 2021.
As the pain continued to flare up, her condition became unbearable and her partner, James, 40, rushed her to hospital, where her diagnosis of pancreatitis was confirmed.
Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed and swollen over time, resulting in gallstones that block the bile duct - with severe cases life-threatening.
Samantha recalls screaming in agony as doctors told her the news and while she felt angry, as well as upset over her situation, she was determined to get better.
Sadly, treatment including various drips, fluids and antibiotics weren't successful and in March 2022, the mum was diagnosed with the aforementioned necrotising pancreas, a form of sepsis, which was eating away at her flesh.
Speaking about the emotional toll, she said: "I was completely distraught and upset, especially thinking about my kids.
"They had only visited a few days beforehand and I felt so guilty for being in hospital, as I had missed two of their birthdays.
"I was completely robbed of my motherhood and I felt entirely helpless. I couldn't face the reality of me no longer being around for them."
In a bid to save her life, she was rushed into emergency surgery where half of her pancreas was cut away.
A few days later, she recalls waking up and being informed that she was placed in an induced coma in order to give her body a chance to heal.
During this time, she lost over four stone and the ability to walk due to being bedbound.
Soon, after further procedures including cutting away two stomach abscesses and lengthy physiotherapy, Samantha was discharged and allowed back home with her family.
She said: "I remember the kids waiting on the doorstep, jumping up and down with excitement as they saw me.
"It felt strange seeing them, as I wasn't even allowed outside during my entire hospital stay, let alone see my family at home.
"I had become so dissociated with the world around me, but it was complete bliss hugging them."
Since then, she's had her gallbladder removed in October 2022 after suffering from another life-threatening gallstone and is now sadly battling for her life once again.
In March 2023, Samantha was admitted to hospital after experiencing lower abdomen pain, where medics confirmed the pancreatitis was back.
Now, she's sharing her harrowing ordeal in a bid to raise awareness for her condition and to encourage others to speak out about their symptoms before it's too late.
She added: "I've had a drain put in to get rid of the fluid, but if there's no luck with this, then they'll need to do other tests to figure out if there's anything more they can do.
"If not, then we don't know the outcome and it's all become a waiting game.
"But throughout all of this, my family has been there for me each step of the way and I'm so grateful for them.
"James has been positive, reassuring and completely brilliant.
"My mum and dad, Tracey and Peter, have always made sure to take care of me, dropping off healthy foods and activities to keep me occupied.
"It's been very upsetting, but I'm so glad that I'm alive.
"One doctor told me that I was a miracle and a story of success, as many people who have been through this haven't survived.
"I can't run around with the kids and I've given up my dream career as a children's entertainer, but if my story can urge others to get their symptoms checked out, then I'll be happy.
"I've gone from a fairytale dream to fighting for my life and I hope I can stop this from happening to someone else."
Do you have a real-life story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
