Try GOLD - Free
I had to watch docs amputate fingers and toes
Western Mail
|January 17, 2026
A SWANSEA woman has revealed how she had to watch doctors amputate her fingers and toes after initially feeling a pain in her side.
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.
We reported last year how that same evening, however, she started losing consciousness intermittently and, within hours, her hands and feet had developed a black and purple discolouration.
The 48-year-old from Mumbles was left with no alternative but to have them amputated. “I was horrified when I looked down,” the former teaching assistant 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.”
This story is from the January 17, 2026 edition of Western Mail.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Western Mail
Western Mail
BOWIE Celebrating his life and his legacy
T'S hard to believe it's been 10 years since David Bowie died.
2 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
Raducanu recovers to avoid shock early exit
EMMA Raducanu recovered from a poor start to see off Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the opening round of the Australian Open.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
'Fragmented post-natal care system failing women'
POSTNATAL care in the UK is failing women, with new mothers reporting feeling overwhelmed and lonely, according to a new report.
3 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
DEFEAT LEAVES OSPREYS ON ROAD
THE Ospreys will be forced onto the road in the Challenge Cup knockout stages after surrendering a dramatic lead in a bruising defeat to Montpellier in Bridgend.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
UK and allies hit back at Trump's tariffs threats
UNITED States tariff threats over the future of Greenland “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral’ the UK and other affected European countries have said.
2 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
Smith hands England surprise pink-ball backing
ENGLAND'S bid to avoid playing any more pink-ball Ashes Tests has a surprise backer after Steve Smith admitted he is in favour of their proposal.
1 min
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
Severe flooding causes at least 30 deaths in South Africa
SOUTH Africa declared a national disaster yesterday over torrential rainfall and flooding that has killed at least 30 people in the northern part of the country, damaged thousands of homes and washed away roads and bridges.
1 min
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
TIATIA PRAISES DRAGONS’ SHOW
FILO Tiatia was delighted with the Dragons' response as they clinched a spot in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.
3 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
Jenrick 'a boost for Reform's election chances'
ROBERT Jenrick joining Reform UK “makes it more likely that we win the next general election”, head of policy Zia Yusuf has said.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
Western Mail
I was the geeky, nerdy kid... if I can become confident, so can you
WHEN Paul McKenna brought out self-help book Change Your Life In 7 Days nearly 25 years ago, he had no idea how much it would change his own life.
3 mins
January 19, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size

