A MUM-OF-TWO tragically died this week after a supposed cold turned out to be an infection that left her in a coma for 18 weeks.
Teacher Emily Presley, 46, battled the disease for months and had to undergo two lung transplants just days apart before the disease took her life.
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Emily from Lexington Kentuckypassed away surrounded by loved ones around 4am on Tuesday.
Her husband, Jeff Presley, said the Lexington Herald-Leader: “Time after time she defied the odds.
“Who could overcome such an ordeal. Emily.”
In May 2022, the Kentucky woman, who was a “picture of health,” came down with a bothersome cold that quickly developed into bronchitis.
A few days after first experiencing symptoms, Emily was rushed to the hospital when her blood pressure dropped and her heart rate spiked.
She was placed in a doctor-induced coma next four months and the ventilator did the work of her lungs and heart to keep her alive.
She was later transferred to the University of Kentucky hospital, where she was hooked up to a specialized machine that pumped oxygen into her blood.
As the staph infection and pneumonia ravaged Emily’s organs, her lungs began to fail and she had to receive a transplant.
But Emily’s immune system rejected the donor lungs and she was advised to have them removed and undergo the procedure a second time.
Her supportive husband, who remained by her side throughout the ordeal, said: “I told the medical team that Emily and I love our life together. We love our friends. We love our community.
“Therefore, if there is a chance that she will survive and have a good quality of life, the answer to a second transplant is “yes”.
Within 24 hours, Emily went under the knife once again and received a transplant that was successful – just in time for Thanksgiving 2023.
Jeff said: “In the midst of the agony… there was no defeat.
“Instead, the nurses, the doctors, the (therapists) would see a smile.
“They would tell others about this incredible, powerful, wonderful, gracious woman of God who wouldn’t give up. Because she was on a mission. A mission to return home to her family in Lexington, Kentucky.”
After the operation, Emily was released from hospital to spend the holidays with her family and two children.
She said at the time, “I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and I’m so happy that my lung transplant team at Northwestern Medicine took me home to share that gratitude with my family, my friends, and the community of Lexington.
“It’s wonderful to be home with my kids and my dog.”
Emily had to relearn how to walk and perform other basic activities, but she persisted and was preparing to get her life back.
She had plans to return to teaching at Wellington Elementary, but her health deteriorated again.
His family confirmed the heartbreaking news of his passing and announced that a celebration of his life will take place on Saturday.
The opening The home will be followed by a memorial service, in which attendees will be asked to wear bright colors to represent “such a bright life.”
Jeff said, “She was ready. She was prepared. And it took everything she had.”
Emily’s sister, Leslie Cunningham, shared her tribute, saying, “Emily’s brilliance has come a long way and impacted people deeply.”
A GoFundMe page, organized to help the grieving family with medical care accountsattracted more than £780,000 donations.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
