Teacher loses arms and legs to sepsis after strep infection leads to 'the perfect storm'

As a seasoned high school teacher, Sherri Moody typically brushed off the occasional cold that came her way. So when she began feeling unwell during a field trip with her students, she initially didn't think much of it.

However, within a matter of days, what started as flu-like symptoms took a terrifying turn. Sherri became increasingly lethargic, battled a high fever, experienced vomiting, and struggled to breathe. Recognizing the severity of her condition, she woke her husband in the middle of the night, expressing the urgent need for medical attention.

"I’ve never gone to the ER before in my life," Sherri, 51, residing in suburban Houston, Texas, recalls. "I was very healthy, very in shape. I ate right, exercised."

Her husband, David, vividly remembers the profound shock they both experienced upon receiving the diagnosis from doctors: double pneumonia, caused by Streptococcus bacteria, leading to sepsis and septic shock—a critical drop in blood pressure, as outlined by the Sepsis Alliance.

"I had to Google what sepsis was. I had no idea. We’re pretty healthy people," David Moody, 53, shares.

Doctors couldn't determine definitively whether Sherri contracted strep during the April 2023 amusement park field trip or if it was coincidental. Yet, they underscored that up to 87% of sepsis cases originate from infections acquired at common places like work, school, or home.

Within two days of her ER visit, Sherri's kidneys and lungs began failing—a dire complication of septic shock. Compounding matters was her medication for rheumatoid arthritis, which suppressed her immune system, leaving her vulnerable to infections.

Sherri describes it as "the perfect storm," a sentiment echoed by her husband, who likens it to "going to war with no soldiers."

Sherri was placed in a medically induced coma and received potent medications in the ICU, including vasopressors to stabilize her blood pressure. However, these treatments compromised circulation to her extremities, causing her limbs to deteriorate rapidly.

"I literally watched my wife’s feet and hands die," David recalls. "They were black and they were mummified."

Upon awakening from the coma, Sherri faced the heartbreaking reality of limb loss. Despite the emotional toll, she maintained a remarkable calmness, focusing on her survival.

In June 2023, her legs were amputated below the knee, followed by her arms below the elbows the next month. After months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, she returned home in August, though faced with ongoing complications and surgeries delaying her prosthetic fittings.

Currently relying on an electric wheelchair, Sherri remains determined and positive, despite the challenges to her independence and the loss of simple pleasures like baking.

"I’m very mentally strong," she asserts. "I just choose to be happy... I don’t let it last long."

Her resilience is not lost on her husband, who acknowledges her strength amidst their shared struggles.

Their journey continues with upcoming surgeries to address lingering issues, with the couple finding solace in each other and the unwavering support of their community.

As they navigate this difficult chapter, they focus on gratitude and the positives in their lives, drawing strength from their bond and shared blessings.