Nicky she fell ill in March and was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, leaving her battling after-effects.
Nicky, 49, from Swindon in Wiltshire, shares her story here:
“I called 111 to ask what they would advise and gave them my symptoms. They told me to take paracetamol.
“A couple of days after the call I collapsed and was found unconscious.
“I was taken into hospital and put into a coma, where my family were told I would die. I was transferred from Swindon to Oxford where they performed a lumbar puncture. I stayed there for a month.
Hearing loss and double vision
“During that time I had an operation to fit a cochlear implant as I lost my hearing in my left ear and have very little hearing in my right. I had severe double vision and couldn't walk.
"My balance organ has been affected so I need to use a walking stick, but my double vision has now gone.
“I was featured in the newspaper in June, due to the potential liability of 111.
“Now I am pretty much housebound, as I am still waiting for a particular physio to help with my balance. I was told the wait would be 30 weeks. I am very tired all the time, but have been back at work since July.
"I struggle in social situations and I also get very frustrated and angry quickly. I cannot walk my dog myself and doing housework is a weekend job only!”
If you have been affected by anything in Nicky's story please reach out to our nurse-led Helpline.
