Caroline Coster is one of those people who makes you wonder 'How does she do that?'
A full-time teacher at Henlow Academy in Bedford for the past 20 years, the married mother of two is always bubbly and busy; a real whirlwind.
When not attending the needs of her pupils, she would be found needle and thread in hand, creating clever, innovative items from damaged and worn denim, writes Sammy Jones.
When you've seen her snazzy array of bags and quilts, toys and chairs, you will never again look at a pair of Levi 501s the same way!
She would pop up at handmade fairs around Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton selling those lovingly crafted items to raise money for the Make A Difference charity in Kenya.
Her fundraising supports a school for the disabled, and enables women to start businesses in the region, giving them hope for a better future.
She is crafty in the very best sense of the word.
“The first thing I remember is looking at my hands and asking the nurses what I was wearing on them, because they were totally black,” Caroline says, recalling the time when she regained consciousness in hospital, “When I was told I was going to lose them I actually felt a sense of relief because I knew straight away that they were a hindrance to me as they were.”
Caroline's creativity had been cruelly taken from her, together with her independence.
Her story began in March when she felt terribly unwell, and presented with Covid-19 symptoms. But gradually she won the battle with the virus and things started to return to normal. Then she was diagnosed with a chest infection.
A GP prescribed antibiotics, an ambulance was sent and paramedics said Caroline was fine.
But she didn't feel fine, and again contacted her surgery. A different doctor prescribed more antibiotics, but crucially called to check how she was doing. If that call hadn't been made, we wouldn't be able to tell this story, because Caroline wouldn't be here to share it.
The doctor heard her symptoms and she was whisked to A&E. Caroline had developed sepsis as a result of pneumonia and her organs were shutting down.
Caroline's family were told – twice – that care would be withdrawn if things didn't improve.
“The doctors and nurses have since told me they thought it more likely that I would die, but one of the things that got me through was my fighting spirit,” she says.
And after a month in a medically induced coma, doctors performed a sedation hold and incredibly, things began to heal.
But limited blood flow during her time in a coma had taken its toll on Caroline's hands and feet, which were now useless.
“I knew straight away that they were a hindrance to me, and begged one of the doctors to organise the amputation of my hands – they were so painful and prevented me from doing anything.”
Surgery to remove her feet happened under a spinal anaesthetic – while doctors removed them, Caroline listened to a book on her Kindle!
“I think the doctors were quite surprised,” she says with a smile, “My hands and feet do not define who I am,”she states, showing the spirit that she is known for.
“I feel no regrets at all about having lost them, although I do still get some phantom limb pain!”
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It's almost too uncomfortable to imagine being in Caroline's situation – in fine fettle one day, and the next in hospital with no independence, knowing that things will never be the same again.
But this isn't a tale of hardship, nor a story of a new depressing normality – this is a story of miraculous recovery and of hope for the future. Caroline's faith has helped her enormously.
“It has been absolutely crucial,” she says, “On the occasions when my family were told care was close to being withdrawn because there was no chance of recovery, a friend mobilised an incredible network of people to pray – at one point the school in Kenya stopped all lessons and the pupils and staff prayed for an hour for my recovery. You can't tell me that God wasn't at work!
“I feel nothing but gratitude that I've been given a second chance at life and I am certain God still has work for me to do – my future is in his hands.”
Caroline has been buoyed by the tremendous amount of support she has received; not just from family, friends and colleagues, but from pupils past and present and well-wishers who she doesn't even know.
That doesn't mean she doesn't have to deal with low moments. Of course she does.
“I do feel quite down at times,” she admits, “I can get very frustrated, not being able to do things, and having to rely on others. I am beginning to learn that it's important to let myself grieve, but not to hang on to that grief. Tears are incredibly healing.”
Caroline is full of praise for the medical staff who nursed her through her first weeks of recovery; the doctors, nurses, physios, dietitians, pain specialists and many more.
Well-wishers have donated more than £50,000 to help purchase the new aids she will need as she adapts to her new normal – and she's already getting on with the job.
Caroline has left Bedford Hospital and is now at Roehampton where she has started on a programme of rehabilitation: “I am going to have to retire from teaching and that saddens me as it has been my life for the last 34 years, and I've been particularly touched by the number of pupils who have raised funds for my future needs,” she says.
But Caroline has plenty to keep her busy; with the aid of prosthetics she will learn how to walk again, and mobility isn't all she has to master. Her doctor is confident that with new 'bionic hands' she will be able to return to her beloved charity work.
“They think I will be able to sew again!” she says, with obvious delight.
And her new role is to raise awareness of sepsis. Every three seconds, someone in the world dies of sepsis. It took Caroline's limbs, and almost took her life, but it couldn't break her spirit.
“You have to try to find the positive in everything,” she says, “I'm a great believer in that, and I'm not afraid to make jokes about what could seem a very dark situation.”
A look at her bravery scars proves as much – Caroline has painted faces on them to raise smiles among visitors.
“I've also realised this incident has dealt with the problem of my wrist arthritis. And it's an incredibly effective weight loss programme,” she smiles, “There can be laughter in any situation.”
For more information on The Sepsis Trust click here
Follow Caroline's journey here
