Caitlin Cooper’s dance career was soaring until early last month when she hurt her foot during a solo training session.
Two days later, the Melbourne 17-year-old was rushed to hospital.
She was in acute pain, losing consciousness and her foot was swelling rapidly.
“It was the size of a balloon,” she said.
“I did a backwards roll and all I did was bang the top of my foot really hard on the floor.”
An astute Northern Health plastic surgeon diagnosed her with the flesh-eating infection necrotising fasciitis.
Cooper said she was at real risk of losing “my leg or my life”.
Necrotising fasciitis is caused by bacteria from a cut or wound, although it can happen after blunt trauma.
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It is rare but has been around for thousands of years.
“It’s just shocking, I can’t believe it,” Caitlin said.
After 29 days, six aggressive surgeries and two blood transfusions, Caitlin was discharged.
She is taking slow steps to recovery and remains grateful for the support of family, the dance community and hospital.
“The nurses and the surgeons were incredible and they saved my life and my leg,” she said.
While Caitlin won’t be walking properly for a while yet she is determined to become a professional performer and be among her dance friends once again.
“I miss dancing, I miss my friends every day,” she said.
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