- Lucinda Mullins, 41, underwent normal kidney stone surgery but lost both legs and arms
- She was first taken to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford and from there by ambulance to a hospital at the University of Kentucky in Lexington
A Kentucky nurse who regularly underwent kidney stone surgery ended up losing both legs and arms after the surgery took a dark turn.
Lucinda Mullins, 41, mother of two boys, had a kidney stone removed from her body.
But according to LEX 18, the kidney stone became infected and Mullins became septic.
She was first taken to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford and from there by ambulance to a hospital at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
To save her life, doctors had to amputate both of her legs and told the former nurse that she would also lose both of her arms below her elbows.
Lucinda Mullins, 41, a mother of two boys, had regular kidney stone surgery and ended up losing both legs and arms after the operation took a dismal turn
With a brave face on his face, Mullins said, “I've lost my legs from the knees down on both sides and I'll probably lose my arms below the elbow on both sides.”
Mullins is pictured with her husband, a DJ who she has been with since she was 17
With a brave face on his face, Mullins told LEX 18, “I've lost my legs from the knees down on both sides and I'll probably lose my arms below the elbow on both sides.”
“The doctor I used to work with was kind of like, ‘This is what they had to do to save your life. That happened.”
Asked how she remained optimistic, Mullins said: “I just said these are the cards I've been dealt and these are the hands I'm going to play.”
“I'm just so happy to be alive.” I can see my children. I can see my family. I can spend my time with my husband. These are small things at this point.'
In addition to her family and friends, the mother also found support in her community.
“At one point I think they said there were 40 people in the waiting room here. The calls and the texts, the prayers and the things people have sent. The little words of encouragement
“I just can't imagine people doing something like that for me,” Mullins said at the hospital.
In addition to her family and friends, the mother also found support in her community
“I'm just so happy to be alive.” I can see my children. I can see my family. I can spend my time with my husband. “These are small things at this point,” she said
As the former nurse prepares for rehab, physical therapy and prosthetics, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help her address medical bills
As the former nurse prepares for rehab, physical therapy and prosthetics, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help her address medical bills.
Her friend Heather Beshears set up the crowdfunding page and wrote: “Cindy, as most of her friends call her, is a kind, caring, brave and beautiful young lady who recently experienced a life-changing tragedy that will leave her as… .” quadruple amputated.
“Cindy and her family will need to make some adjustments to their home to accommodate Cindy’s needs as well as her prosthetics and adaptive devices.
The cost of this can be overwhelming. “We started this fundraiser because we want to support our hero Cindy and her husband DJ, who was by her side every step of the way.”
The fundraiser has raised $63,906 of its $250,000 goal.
Common complications of kidney stone surgery include infection, blood loss during the procedure, stones not breaking down, and injury to other organs.