A mum who faces having her leg amputated after a car crash spoke about her nightmare ordeal yesterday.
Milena Nowak, 22, was involved in a devastating accident on April 20 and she has been in Cork University Hospital ever since.
The other person in the car was tragically killed that day.
Milena’s injuries included stitches in her head, a broken arm, wrist, ribs and her lung collapsed.
She hasn’t had surgeries on her foot or knee yet and is waiting to see if the skin graft from her thigh takes to her calf.
Milena has an infection in her leg now and if medics cannot control it the limb could be amputated.
She told RTE Radio One’s Liveline: “I never thought I’d be put in this position.
“It’s an unforgettable accident I’ve had and I’ll forever remember it. I have severe injuries.”
Milena was recently allowed a one-hour visit with her five-year-old son Tyler for the first time since the crash.
She said it was heartbreaking for both of them.
Milena got to see Tyler for a second time but medics insisted she is carrying out the visits at her own risk because her immune system is so suppressed.
Milena said she was told by her orthopaedic surgeon Prof James Harty that he had never seen a leg so damaged.
She added: “One of my legs was a little bit fractured but it’s not too bad, I’m coming back with it now.
“The most serious injury was the one to my left leg.
“It was completely crushed in the accident. My knee ligaments are out of place along with my bones, my ankle was damaged and so was my foot.
“So, I have a big fixer on my leg which is holding my leg together now and the only thing I’m left with is hope and time now.”
Milena said Prof Harty told her her age and fitness will help her recover but she faces having her leg amputated.
She added: “I do have huge anxiety. It’s hard to talk to about it.”
