Louise Marshallsay was rushed to hospital after suffering from a stabbing sensation in her side – but the 48 year old was forced to endure the unthinkable
Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, Money and lifestyle hub
10:02, 10 Jan 2026
A woman has revealed how her fingers and toes became blackened after what seemed like a minor health issue – leaving her with no option but to undergo amputation. Louise Marshallsay explained it started when she experienced a recognisable “stabbing” pain in her side, which she thought indicated another episode of kidney stones.
She hurried to hospital, where her assumptions were confirmed, though she was advised to return home, as the condition would resolve itself naturally. That same evening, however, she started losing consciousness intermittently and, within hours, her hands and feet had developed a black and purple discolouration, reports the Mirror.
The 48 year old was left with no alternative but to have them amputated. “I was horrified when I looked down,” the former teaching assistant, from Swansea, said.
“I was awake during the amputation, so I saw each finger being taken away from me. It was like something from a horror movie.
“I gasped when my bandages were removed. The remains of my fingers were swollen, bruised and had stitches in the tips. I cried from the pain and shock.”
Louise had undergone removal of a kidney stone three years earlier. In July 2022, she then experienced the discomfort once more.
Louise in hospital showing her blackened fingers(Image: )
After reaching hospital, she lost consciousness, before regaining awareness in “agony”. Medical professionals confirmed she had entered septic shock and that four days had elapsed. Louise, who has a 25 year old daughter, Lauren, remained resolute in her determination to survive, though.
She recalled: “There was no way my little girl was going to lose her mum. The doctors had to restrict my blood flow to save my major organs.
“My hands and feet had felt icy cold, as if they were stuck to Deep Freeze. I hoped I wouldn’t lose all my fingers and toes, as I didn’t know what I would do without them.
“My muscles had started to waste from the lack of use and I had also lost hearing in my right ear. But, I was alive, and that was the most important thing.”
Several weeks later, whilst some areas of her hands and feet had healed, all the fingers and toes on her right side had turned black and were dying. Amputation became unavoidable.
Louise with her new prosthetic fingers(Image: )
By October 2022, all her remaining fingers and toes had been removed. Louise returned to live with her parents, unable to walk due to balance issues.
Simple daily tasks such as cooking, showering, or using a kettle became impossible. The 48 year old was subsequently referred to a prosthetics laboratory – where an extraordinary discovery awaited.
She explained: “The doctors told me my case was unique, as usually they use the remaining fingers to model the prosthetic. A technician looked at a photo of my hands before and noted that her fingers looked the same as mine.
“And she was right. We had identical hands and fingers – I had met my hand twin.
“Along with old photos, doctors were able to figure out the correct dimensions to use. When I first saw them, I couldn’t believe it.
“They looked just like the real thing, right down to the blue streaks for veins and intricate creases around the knuckles. I was overwhelmed.”
Louise has since learnt to adapt to her new “normal” and has even found love through sharing her story. She added: “I can’t forget I was on death’s door for a few days. I’m so grateful to be here, and, fingers crossed, things can only get better from here.”