Acute: Death was near – the bruises on the legs were bubbling

– I am much more than my scars, Katja reminds Akuuti. Over

Katja Tamminen was only half an hour away from death when a rapidly progressing necrosis destroyed a fifth of his skin. He was in the hospital, but his condition deteriorated quickly, and the pain was severe.

Illan Akuutti tells how even the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with Katja.

– The bruises on my legs started bubbling and there were big water bells, Katja recalls.

After the water bells burst and dried, rock-hard black skin was revealed underneath.

– 20 or 21 percent of my own skin died. One percent corresponds to an area the size of your palm, Katja compares Tiia Nurmilakson in the interview.

At first, Katja wondered if she would ever be able to wear a skirt again. When the situation got serious, the thoughts shifted to whether he would be able to keep his leg – and whether he would be able to walk.

– Or will I even survive, Katja adds.

It all started when Katja’s vague fever spikes were investigated. His white blood cells were disappearing, and his inflammation levels were skyrocketing. Necrotizing bruises began to appear after several drug changes.

At first, Katja believed that she would get better soon. When that didn’t happen, he decided to stay with a cheerful mind.

– I tried to find the famous silver linings in everything, that what is good even in this situation, Katja recalls in the program.

One silver lining was found in the Töölö hospital, where Katja was transferred when a really large dose of cortisone and antibiotics finally started to wear off. The medicinal cocktail saved Katja, and the skin stopped dying. After that, Katja underwent a skin graft operation. Something else happened in the same room Tommywith whom Katja has been married for ten years now.

Acute: Resilience helps you survive today on TV1 at 20:00. See all TV programs and broadcast times in Telku’s TV guide.