'Sigh of relief' as amputee finally returns home

A medical student who had her limbs amputated after suffering septic shock has spoken of her optimism for the future as she settles back home.

Lily McGarry, from Jersey, fell seriously ill when she contracted meningitis B and went into septic shock while studying at Cardiff University at the start of 2025.

The 24-year-old had to have all of four limbs amputated to save her life and with support from medical staff she was able to begin the slow process of recovery. That hit a milestone last month after she was flown home to Jersey in time for Christmas with her family and friends.

"I just felt a sigh of relief," she said. "I just feel very safe here which is what I need at the moment."

McGarry spent a few weeks at the rehabilitation unit at Samarès Ward before she could be discharged to be home with her family.

"I was under the care of the NHS for so long which meant it was a bit complicated to discharge me from the hospital in Cardiff to straight home to Jersey," she said.

"Normally the occupational therapists would need to do home visits but they weren't going to fly to Jersey with me."

This meant McGarry had to be cleared by the medical team at Samarès Ward before she could go home and she was given the OK just in time to spend the festive holidays with her loved ones.

"There's lots of challenges but, when you're well supported, they don't seem so scary," she said.

McGarry described being able to spend Christmas with her family as "amazing".

"The timing couldn't have fallen any better," she said.

"I haven't seen my granddad in about a year because he was unable to travel and so that was very emotional being reunited."

She was also surprised with a new bionic limb for Christmas, which she is learning to use.

"It was here in time for Christmas so that was kind of unheard of for it to be manufactured and brought to the island so quickly," she said.

Close family friend Claire Forbes and others worked with the company Open Bionics to ensure the gift was ready for McGarry.

"They even flew a prosthetist from the company over to Jersey to set up the arm for me so I couldn't have been supported any better from them," she said.

"I'm still getting to grips with that but it's something that will make my life a lot easier."

After a very challenging 2025 and having settled back into life at home, McGarry is now starting to think about what is next for her.

"I feel optimistic for the future," she said.

"I am starting to become better medically so that means my weeks won't be filled with medical buoyancy at the hospital.

"I'm able to focus my energy on things like using my brain again and maybe getting back into work or uni.

"Before this happened I kind of liked to have a plan... I'm having to learn to deal with uncertainties at the moment."

She might begin the next stage of rehabilitation for her lower limbs in the UK earlier than expected as well.

"I thought I would be here for a few months but they're keen to get me there as quickly as possible," she said.

"Before this happened I kind of liked to have a plan... I'm having to learn to deal with uncertainties at the moment."

Her family have worked extensively to get the family home in Jersey ready for McGarry's return.

Her stepdad Nick Gorrod said local companies including Romeril Jersey and Eesifit Builders came forward to assist with the works so it was complete in time for her return.

"It made a huge difference," he said.

Carla Martini, from Romerils Jersey, said it was "a pleasure to actually help in any way we could" and the firm helped to provide a new bathroom.

"It's such an unfathomable experience to go through for Lily," she said.

McGarry's father, Stuart, said he had been proud of the way his daughter had handled her return to the island.

"Her level of empathy is incredible," he said.

"She was remarkable before this happened and I was incredibly proud father.

"We're on a different level now and it's really difficult to put into words the feelings because they're so overwhelming."

An online fundraising page set up to help pay for McGarry's advanced prosthetic limbs reached more than £500,000.

Her father said: "It gives Lily choice and will allow her to make her own decisions and her own plan for her future so that's great and it's Jersey coming together, which is great."

Julia Callander, 25, said her close friend McGarry remained "a happy, warm person" despite her ordeal.

Callander visited her several times when she was in hospital in Wales and has been meeting up with her since her return to the island.

She said: "I remember the first time we went out for a drink in Jersey and I couldn't believe that we were finally here because it seems so far off at one point in time that we might not be able to do that.

"I think for the most part she's exactly the same - positive, happy, outgoing - but just now with this inner strength that's just unshakable because she clearly always had this courage within her and now she's using it every day."

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].