Ashley Timbery, a 29-year-old woman perceived to be in good health, tragically passed away after being infected by a severe superbug that critically damaged her organs and caused extensive damage to her lungs. Before her sudden collapse, which led to the loss of sensation in her legs, Ashley had exhibited no significant health concerns, only experiencing minor symptoms such as tiredness and body aches, which she dismissed as trivial.
This unfortunate incident took place at her residence in Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, on February 15. Initially, Ashley noticed a few boils on her skin but did not consider them serious. However, her condition rapidly deteriorated, necessitating her immediate transfer to Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital. There, she was placed into an induced coma to stabilize her condition, reported The Sun.
It was during this critical period that medical tests revealed a grave infection, punctuating one of her lungs with numerous holes. For weeks, the infection had stealthily advanced without detection, leading to Ashley’s demise merely days after her diagnosis was confirmed. Her family was left in the dark about the nature of her illness until ten days later, when she was transferred to St George Hospital in Sydney, and the diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was finally disclosed.
MRSA, a formidable type of staph bacteria known for its resistance to several standard antibiotics, poses a significant challenge to treat due to its “superbug” status. The aggressive infection led to pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs that can be deadly if not promptly and adequately treated, told Yahoo News.
According to Shantelle Locke, Ashley’s cousin, medical professionals speculated that Ashley might have been suffering from pneumonia for weeks prior to her hospitalization, unaware of the severity of her condition. Efforts to save Ashley included draining and reinflating her collapsed right lung at Shoalhaven, followed by similar treatment for her left lung at St George.
Despite these interventions, a comparison of Ashley’s CT scans with those of healthy lungs revealed the devastating impact of the infection, showcasing lungs riddled with holes from the bacterial attack. Ashley’s battle with the infection ended on February 29, leaving her family and friends to mourn the loss of a vibrant, humorous, and loving individual. In the wake of this tragedy, her loved ones have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, planning to commemorate her life on March 15. Ashley’s story serves as a harrowing reminder of the unpredictable nature of health and the potential lethality of infections like MRSA.
