Mum, 43, tragically passes away after spending 16 months in hospital after cold turned into deadly disease
When mother-of-two Emily Presley informed her family back in 2022 that she'd be nipping for a check-up with her local GP after feeling slightly under the weather, they thought nothing of it.
After all, when something as frequently-diagnosed as the common cold affects someone otherwise fit and heathy, what reason is there to worry?
Little did her husband and two children know, however, that just 16 months later, they'd be forced to say goodbye to their 'amazing and wonderful' mother for a final time, before Emily tragically passed away this week.
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Prior to her ailments, the Kentucky-local was said to have been a 'picture of health' - someone who prided herself on hardly ever being sick.
Back in 2022, however, when she started suspecting that something wasn't quite right within her body, she thought it best to get herself checked out.
By the time she visited her local doctor, Emily had begun presenter typical cold-like symptoms.
After being told she was suffering with the flu and prescribed some common painkillers and congestion relief, to Emily's confusion, her condition dramatically worsened.
She was promptly assessed again, only for medics to find that her cold has developed into a severe infection, which had triggered a colossal crash in her blood pressure, a severe spike in her heart rate and a general decrease in her oxygen levels.
Emily, 43, was subsequently sedated, after which she was placed into a medically-induced coma so that doctors could regularly assess her vitals.
The doting mother remained on an advanced ventilator for four months, which controlled the flow of her heart and lungs.
Sadly, however, it became apparent to her husband Jeff and their two children that Emily was unlikely to ever make a full recovery, being that additional infections had compromised the use of her lungs.
In a semi-comatose state, Emily was forced to remain in hospital for just less than a year and a half later, during which she underwent a lung transplant.
After her body reacted negatively to the treatment, however, doctors set their sights on a second transplant, hoping this would save the mum's life.
Since losing his wife - who passed away on Tuesday morning (Apr 30), surrounded by her family - Jeff recalls the arduous treatment she underwent.
"I told the medical team that Emily and I love our life together," he admitted. "We love our friends. We love our community.
"So if there's a chance that she can survive and have good quality of life, then the answer to a second transplant is 'yes'."
Thankfully, the second procedure was a success, and it appeared as though Emily's condition was improving.
So much so, that she was eventually able to return home to her family, and began making plans to return to teaching.
Emily told press at the time: "It’s been really, really difficult, but I’ve been able to get through it because I have a ton of support with my family, including Jeff, my husband, support from my friends.
"I have a really great community and that really did get me through."
After several months, however, her health once again took a turn for the worst, and she died surrounded by her family.
"She was ready. She was prepared. And it took all she had," Jeff has since said.
Rest in peace, Emily.
Rhianna Benson