Anna Norquist, from Indiana, USA, had been at a concert before falling ill. But hours after arriving home she was so poorly she couldn't lift her head.
Within hours her body started shutting down.
Taken to hospital it emerged she had developed a streph infection which had spread to her bloodstream.
The infection had not developed from a tampon, as is often the case with TSS. So far she has had 10 surgeries, with more planned.
“We got our miracle that she's stayed alive,” her brother Patrick Norquist told local station WNDU 16.
He continued: "The doctors said she shouldn't have lived. The doctors say that basically every surgery she has is life-threatening.
"I’d give her both of my arms and both my legs if I could.”
Writing on Facebook yesterday Patrick added: "She is scheduled for the amputation of her left hand tomorrow. Pray it’s below the elbow.
"Unfortunately, the doctor said they can NOT extricate the right foot. So she is scheduled for amputation of her right foot on Monday.
"She is in some pain but it’s manageable for the most part. Anna said she was bored last night so the nurse and my little brother Jimmy Norquist pushed her around the ICU. She was not amused. Lol."
He continued: "We need a miracle this weekend. Please pray that she gets to keep her right foot. Also prayers that surgery goes well and her amputation tomorrow is below the elbow. All I want for Christmas is my sister.
"I wish I could box and wrap my arms and legs and give them to her on Christmas morning. But I will settle for her life. Pray she survives these surgeries. Thank you all for everything you have done for my family thus far."
Her dad Gordon, detailing how the infection took hold, told Fox 59: “She was in Chicago on Friday, December 14, went to a concert, stayed through Saturday and drove home Sunday.
"They don’t know and probably will never know exactly where the infection entered. They think it was the right arm and that’s probably why they took it first.”
What is toxic shock syndrome?
TSS is caused by either staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria.
These bacteria normally live harmlessly on the skin, nose or mouth, but if they get deeper into the body they can release toxins that damage tissue and stop organs working.
The following can increase your risk of developing TSS:
- using tampons – particularly if you leave them in for longer than recommended or you use "super-absorbent" tampons
- using female barrier contraceptives
- a break in your skin, such as a cut or burn
- childbirth
- using nasal packing to treat a bleed
- having a staphylococcal infection or streptococcal infection, such as impetigo or cellulitis
On a GoFundMe page, raising money for prosthetics, the family said: "She's bold and beautiful [and] in a crisis.
"Against all odds, she is still alive but she is still very, very sick. The doctor said she should not have survived.
"She has had surgery on both of her arms and both of her legs.
"She is sliced open from head to toe. At best, she will have multiple surgeries and multiple amputations. They will be life altering. But, whatever she faces, we, her family, will support her as best we can."
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