Diabetic Woman Loses Leg After Stepping on Dog Biscuit Triggers Sepsis

A woman diagnosed with diabetes at age seven lost her right leg after stepping on a dog biscuit sparked sepsis.

Jayme Stephen, 39, from New Pitsligo, noticed a dent on the sole of her foot from the kibble. Days later, she felt extreme pain as her foot swelled to three times its size. Doctors diagnosed sepsis spreading fast. Paramedics rushed her by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in October 2024, where she underwent three major surgeries in five days.

The first operation removed dead tissue from her foot to check the damage. A second surgery slit the sole open from top to bottom and found most nerves dead. When Jayme woke up, she knew the news before the surgeon spoke.

She told BBC Scotland: "When they first took me down to the theatre, they didn't know what was going to transpire and neither did I. But the second time I came around and they explained the situation I knew I was going to lose my leg. Before the surgeon could speak I told him: 'You are going to take my leg aren't you?' and he said 'Yes... I'm sorry Jayme but we have to cut off your foot. It is life or death.' They could see how quick the infection was spreading and had my leg amputated in less than an hour."

Diabetes UK says the condition causes more than 180 lower limb amputations a week in adults. Jayme knew amputation was a risk from living with Type 1 diabetes but never expected it. Ten years ago, she first lost feeling in both legs, but nothing serious happened until the sepsis week.

Around that time, anxiety over the disease crushed her. She said: "I was in such a bad way with my anxiety, every time I went near the front door I just wanted the world to swallow me up. It got to the point where I couldn't leave my bed. I used to be a person who loved the outdoors, canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting to where I am now and I just want to get back to that."

Jayme once thought she was untouchable. After the amputation, she said: "But once I lost my leg and realised life goes on and how precious that is - I thought 'I have to at least try.' I actually ended up buying myself a canoe after I lost my leg because all I want to do is get back to outdoor activities."

Her 19-month recovery included using a wheelchair full time while leaving a toxic relationship. Now she faces stares from strangers when out as a wheelchair user. She said: "I can't deal with people feeling sorry for me, and it is difficult when strangers just stop and stare at me. I may have lost my leg but I am still a person. I would rather people just ask if it is okay to ask me what happened. Don't make me feel uncomfortable because you are uneducated."

Jayme urges diabetics to watch for foot problems. She said: "You don't know how your body will react to a trauma like that. Don't leave it to chance. It was always a risk I was aware of but I never thought it would happen to me. It's also crucial that people with diabetes know how important it is to seek medical attention if they spot any signs of foot problems. Fast access to a footcare team is vital for reducing amputations."