Amputee who lost hands, feet warns others of septic shock

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A woman is warning other people to look out for early symptoms of septic shock.

Kim Gilliam Steele initially thought she had a simple toxic shock reaction, but soon learned she would lose her hands and feet.

Now she's learning everything from laundry, to texting without them.

Steele told Channel 2's Linda Stouffer that her life got more complicated last May when she had a toxic reaction to a medication.

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“My family said I became incoherent and then they took me to the ER,” Steele said.

Her heart stopped four times and doctors gave her a 9 percent chance of making it through the night.

Steele went into septic shock, which caused her extremities to turn black because of the loss of blood flow.

Doctors could not save her arms and legs, but they did save her life.

Steele now has an important message for those who may have an allergic reaction to medication.

“Don’t hesitate to go seek out medical attention. That time could save your life,” said Steele. “I’m not saying that if I got here sooner it could have changed the outcome, but it could for somebody else.”

Steele is in rehab at The Warm Springs Rehabilitation and the Shepard Center, learning ways to use her new prosthetics. When she gets mobile again she wants to volunteer to help other amputees.

“There’s a way to get through whatever you want to get through as long as you keep pushing forward and have the strength to do it,” said Steele.

Steele and her family have a van in which she’s able to ride, and she really wants to learn how to drive in the next few months. She wants to get another vehicle that will allow her to drive.

Cox Media Group