SARASOTA – It started off with an October morning swim in 2019 at Anna Maria Island for Tennessee transplant Kelli Jerome. Within 48 hours, that same swim spiraled into a matter of life or death.
“I had an itching burning sensation on the back of my leg, behind my knee,” said Jerome. She thought nothing of it and went to bed. The next morning, her husband was unable to wake her up. She was rushed to Manatee Memorial Hospital with her leg massively swollen. It was there she was given a life-altering diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, otherwise known as flesh eating bacteria.
“From there I was airlifted to Blake. They amputated my leg immediately,” said Jerome. Contracting this disease would prove to be no easy fix for Jerome. Her hip disarticulation and leg removal would be 1 of 36 future surgeries. She wound up in a coma for 3 months. The flesh eating bacteria spread to her stomach and essentially began eating her organs. Jerome was clinging to life. Jerome’s recovery has been difficult. Her life, completely upended as she struggles with daily health complications and financial insecurity. Something as basic as a wheelchair, which she needs, could make a huge positive impact on her daily routine.
We’re making Jerome our April $1000 grant Helping Hand recipient sponsored by Carl Reynolds Law to offer a bit of relief from her horrendous ordeal.
Jerome warns others to educate themselves it comes to necrotizing fasciitis and exercise caution around water.