Genevieve Gallagher, a 49-year-old mother from Pensacola, Florida, recently faced a life-threatening health crisis after a seemingly minor incident while boating. Gallagher has been a coordinator of physician practice in a community hospital. On that fateful day, July 27, she had taken to Pensacola Bay with her husband, Dana Gallagher, and their then 7-year-old daughter, Mila. What had begun as a lovely family outing quickly devolved after Gallagher received a minor gash on her leg. That little wound was the catalyst for a devastating vibrio bacterial infection.
Before hitting the water, Gallagher dressed a small gash on her left leg. To keep it dry, she had then applied a waterproof bandage. While walking at the beach, she realized an anklet had actually become embedded under her skin. She didn’t think twice, snatched up a pair of doctor’s shears, and cut it away. Much to her dismay, this action unwittingly flooded her body with toxic bacteria. But almost immediately, within a few days, Gallagher’s health started to go south fast.
Monday, everything was fine. Tuesday, everything was fine. Wednesday was when all hell broke loose,” Gallagher recalled, noting how quickly her symptoms progressed.
Within a day or so, Gallagher was in septic shock as her organs started to fail. An extended visit to her local hospital’s emergency room led to the diagnosis of a vibrio bacterial infection. This tropical infection not only ravaged her limb, but left her needing integrated medical care. Doctors worked tirelessly to save both her life and her leg, flushing out the bacteria and removing dead tissue from about her knee down.
After they saved my life, they did an incredible job. I could have lost my life. Forget about my leg — save my life,” Gallagher said, urging people never to forget the medical team who has saved her life.
Gallagher still needed muscle graft surgery, even after all that work. Today, he is still in the hospital recovering, as complications developed during treatment. Her experience has been profoundly traumatic, not only for her but for her entire family.
I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I assumed that was the most traumatic thing I could ever be put through. After all, this is what she said. It’s had an equally profound impact on my family.
To combat the staggering medical expenses of her procedure, Dana Gallagher has started an online campaign to raise funds. This initiative will contribute to alleviating the financial burden that her family faces as they navigate this difficult time.
Gallagher’s violent experience has completely traumatized her. In spite of this, she is set on telling her story to serve as a warning for other active water lovers. She encourages everybody to be aware of any open cuts or scrapes before entering waters that are at risk of contamination.
I don’t wish this on the worst enemy I could ever think of. So what I want everyone to know, listen, don’t go in there if you just freshly shaved your legs. Don’t even think about entering if you have a paper cut on your pinky, she cautioned.
As Gallagher continues her extensive recovery journey, she’s using her experience to reflect on the fragility of life. She is eternally grateful to be alive, particularly after surviving an infection that almost stole her life.
