Southampton, October 14: A young woman from Southampton, UK, Vienna German, has bravely shared her harrowing experience battling a rare and devastating condition known as pyoderma gangrenosum, which causes her skin to "eat itself". After initially being misdiagnosed with an inflamed hair follicle, Vienna's condition rapidly worsened, leading to the development of agonizing sores across her armpits, breasts, and buttocks. According to the Mirror report, the severity of her wounds left her bedridden for several months.

With the illness taking an immense toll on her physical and mental well-being, the excruciating effects of the disease were compounded by the high doses of steroids administered during her treatment, causing her to gain an alarming amount of weight and leaving her with prominent stretch marks. Vienna's distressing journey also profoundly affected her self-image as she grappled with the drastic changes to her appearance and a sense of loss for her former self. Dog Attack in UK: Two XL Bullies Attack Woman on Street in Wales, Owner Banned From Keeping Dogs for 10 Years.

Amid this painful journey, Vienna's relationship with her partner, Tom Gregory, grew stronger as he became her primary caregiver, tending to her daily needs. She even confessed that, at one point, she believed she was going to die and asked him to leave her. It was Tom's unwavering support that kept her going, and she credits him with nursing her back to health. After enduring multiple misdiagnoses and a painful procedure that removed the skin from her armpits, Vienna was finally discharged from the hospital, fearing it might be her last Christmas. UK Army Mulls Dropping Century-Old Ranks For Being Too Masculine and To Make Regiments More Inclusive.

Her battle with pyoderma gangrenosum was marked by overwhelming physical and emotional pain, which she found difficult to share with others. She described feeling like something was terribly wrong and even hosted a Christmas party, fearing it might be her last. Despite her debilitating condition, Vienna's determination has shone through. She has overcome the odds, started her own dog-walking business, lost seven stone in weight, and now looks forward to addressing her scars and moving beyond the trauma of her painful ordeal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2023 03:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).