Mum, 42, left fighting for her life in septic shock and has foot amputated after spotting an ingrown nail
A MUM was left fighting for her life and had to have her foot amputated after an ingrown toenail turned gangrene.
Lacey Shadrick says she has always dealt with ingrown toenails - getting them about once a week - and usually treats them herself at home.
But the 42-year-old noticed a "blister" from a particularly "severe" ingrown toenail on her left big toe in September 2024.
As she was visiting a poorly family member in hospital at the time, she asked doctors to take a look.
Doctors revealed Lacey had a soft tissue infection - a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of the skin - so they "cut" into her toe.
Lacey was also put on antibiotics as she is diabetic, which increases her risk of infection.
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Just days later the mum-of-three was shocked to discover that her toe needed be amputated after it became gangrenous - leaving her hours away from "losing her life".
As her infection continued to worsen, she was forced to have three more surgeries including a transmetatarsal amputation, where all of her toes and half of her foot were removed, on April 11, 2025.
Lacey is now in a wheelchair and will need a prosthetic foot if she has "any chance of walking" again.
She urges people to "be careful with their feet" and to treat any issues "seriously" so they don't end up in her position.
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Lacey, who lives in Sumter, South Carolina, US, said: "I got ingrown toenails once a week, and have dealt with them my whole life.
"I think it's just because of the way my toenails grow. It grows under instead of right across.
"I would take care of them at home. I've never had to go to the doctors ever to get them looked at.
"I never imagined this would happen. It was scary. It's mind blowing how it's all working out. It's such a common procedure, you wouldn't think it would go this wrong.
"I was just in the hospital to [visit a family member]. I noticed around my toenail what looked like a blister and it had some pus in it. I showed [the nurse] and she said 'you're diabetic, let's get you checked out and make sure everything's okay'."
Diabetes increases the risk of foot problems. Because high blood sugar levels can damage nerves in the feet, nutrient supply is poorer and patients may also miss issues if they can't 'feel' their feet.
Lacey says: "They said it was a soft tissue infection only, which is typical of an ingrown toenail.
"An orthopaedist came into the room and they cut my toe in several places and put packing in it. They did not cover it with gauze.
I was septic and I was really close to losing my life. I was laying there thinking 'what are my kids going to do if I die'
Lacey Shadrick
"That Monday I was telling [my doctor] the pain was worse. On Wednesday the packing had pulled itself out by me walking on it. He said 'it looks like you've got an infection'.
"When the MRI results came back, he flew into my room and he said 'We're cutting your toe off in the morning. You have gangrene'. I didn't even know gangrene was still a thing."
Gangrene is when body tissue dies because it is not supplied by blood.
"I was septic and I was really close to losing my life," says Lacey. "The infection was in my bone marrow. I was laying there thinking 'what are my kids going to do if I die'.
"It was a massive shock. Normally at home I'd just dig it out and put a band aid on it and that's all I had to do."
The former emergency medical dispatcher had her left big toe amputated on October 4, 2024 and was sent home. She claims her wound was not covered properly.
Lacey was forced to have three more surgeries as the infection continued to spread.
In April 2025, after visiting multiple hospitals, Lacey was told she had osteomyelitis, a bone infection usually caused by bacteria that can lead to bone death.
She discovered she'd "crushed" all her toes just by walking due to the bone infection and needed a transmetatarsal amputation.
I was extremely angry with what had happened. I'm trying to let go of that anger but it's really hard.
Lacey Shadrick
Lacey said: "My toes started looking really weird and I couldn't move them. Everybody was like 'your toe is broken' but I said 'there's something going on'.
"[The doctor] did an MRI and said I had an infection and also the bones on all four of my toes were broken. Not just broken but crushed just by walking. My foot was a mangled mess on the inside.
"He had to cut my calf open and attach my calf to my achilles tendon because my foot was turning inwards and was going to deform.
"That's why we made the decision to do that transmetatarsal. It's so unfathomable for me I couldn't even wrap my head around it."
'This should never have happened'
Lacey revealed she is in a wheelchair for six weeks and will need to have a prosthetic foot in order to walk again.
However, she doesn't have insurance so fears she won't be able to afford a prosthesis, which costs around $1,700.
Lacey said: "I was extremely angry with what had happened. I'm trying to let go of that anger but it's really hard. This should never have happened.
"I can't do anything at this point because I'm not allowed to put any weight on it in six weeks. I can't even begin to see what it's going to be like just yet. It's scary because I know it's going to be a big adjustment because I have no balance.
"I'm an active person. I love being outside and I love playing sports but I'm on the sidelines at the moment. I'm scared because I don't know what the future's going to hold.
Why diabetes is linked to foot problems and amputations
Over time raised blood sugar levels - which happens with diabetes - can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in your feet.
This stops essential nutrients reaching the nerves. If the nerves in your feet are damaged, you can lose the feeling in your feet.
This means you may not feel things properly and can damage your feet without noticing.
Damaged blood vessels also reduce the blood supply to your feet, meaning you may then have problems with cuts and sores healing.
You may also get cramps and pain in your legs or feet.
If left untreated, these foot problems can lead to foot ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations.
Most foot problems can be prevented by taking care of your feet and having your feet checked as part of your annual review.
If you spot any of these changes, see your GP:
- Tingling sensation or pins and needles like numbness
- Burning pain
- A dull ache
- Loss of feeling in your feet or legs
- Swollen feet - you might notice that putting your shoes on or walking has become more difficult
- Your feet don't sweat
- Cuts, wounds or sores that don’t heal
- Cramp in your calves when resting or walking
- Shiny, smooth skin on your feet
- Hair loss on your legs and feet
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"I know if I have any chance of walking, I'm going to need a prosthetic that goes inside my shoe. Without that I don't think I have an option to walk. All of it was so unexpected. You're never financially ready for it."
The stay-at-home mum wants to share her story to urge others to "be careful with their feet" and "trust their bodies" if they think something is wrong.
Lacey said: "Take things seriously and advocate for yourself because I would not be here if I did not. You know your body, trust your body. If you feel like you're not being heard, make sure to find someone that will.
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"Be careful with your feet as we take them for granted. I've seen the horror stories when you get a pedicure at the salon.
"It's something women never really think about. Make sure you get your pedicure at places that are clean."
