A Welsh woman who was misdiagnosed with anxiety and told there was “nothing physically wrong” with her has spoken of the dramatic events that led to the amputation of her leg, and how she has since turned her adversity into inspiration for others.
Erin Lazarus was just 23 when she began suffering from a mix of troubling symptoms, including severe joint pain, migraines, hair loss, rashes, swelling, and intense fatigue. At the time, she was completing a postgraduate degree and poised to embark on a dream career as a foreign exchange dealer at Investec. Despite repeated visits to doctors and various blood tests, she was reassured that nothing physical was amiss and her symptoms were attributed to anxiety.
Reflecting on that period, Erin told Wales Online, “It’s a miracle I finished my degree. My body completely broke down the moment I submitted my final paper.” By the close of 2021, her health rapidly deteriorated. Her left foot changed colour, and soon after, she began slurring her words and occasionally lost consciousness. Even after being rushed to hospital, she was sent home. It wasn’t until her foot turned black and the pain became unbearable that she was finally diagnosed correctly—she had lupus, an autoimmune disease that had caused a life-threatening clot in her leg.
The diagnosis came too late for conventional treatments to save her leg. Multiple surgical attempts to restore circulation failed, leaving Erin with a harrowing choice. “Either I kept this dead foot or I lived,” she said bluntly. Opting for survival, Erin underwent an amputation.
Remarkably, within just 12 hours post-surgery, Erin was up with a walker. Displaying extraordinary spirit, she welcomed her family by dancing, saying, “This was the start of something new.” Her family have been a pillar of support, even giving her stump the nickname “Stompy” and bringing laughter to trying times.
Recovery was not without its challenges. Four months after the amputation, Erin received her first prosthetic and wasted little time regaining her independence. Yet, there were bumps along the way. She recounted an incident at work where her prosthetic leg broke in half while in a bathroom stall. With her mother nearby for support, Erin turned the situation into a moment of shared laughter, rather than despair.
Phantom pain continues to be a reality for Erin—experiencing sensations like pins and needles in the limb that is no longer there. Her partner, Reade Metzer, has played a vital role throughout her recovery, helping to manage her pain. “He massages and squeezes my leg until the pain dies down,” she shared.
The world of prosthetics has proven eye-opening, with Erin expressing awe at the levels of customisation and technology involved. Her determination reached new heights when she completed the London Marathon alongside her father, Mark, an experienced ultramarathon runner. The event was emotional and transformative: “There are no words to describe it. I loved every second of it, even when I was sore,” she said. Seeing her family along the route spurred her on, and she was grateful to share the achievement with her father.
Training for such a feat was demanding, involving long training runs on her endurance running blade and rigorous gym sessions. She admits there were moments of doubt, dealing with chafing, blisters, and difficult days. Still, Erin persisted—not just for the finish line, but to prove to herself and others what is possible after amputation.
Lupus remains an ongoing part of Erin’s life, managed with medication and regular medical care. She points out, however, that the impacts of the illness are invisible and often misunderstood. “When I say I’m tired, it’s not ‘normal’ tired,” she said. “And when I’m sick, I get really sick.” Her experience has left her hoping that medical professionals will listen more closely to patients’ concerns—emphasising that early intervention could make a difference.
Despite everything, Erin maintains she would not change her journey. “I have such a full life now,” she reflected, and her message to others facing similar challenges is one of hope: “You’ll live a perfectly normal life—and it’s going to be okay.”
Now, Erin uses her experience for good, supporting others with mobility challenges through her work with Rejuvenate SA and the Trojans Neurological Trust. “I love sharing this weird and wonderful journey,” she said. In the end, Erin believes that losing her leg helped her become the “best version” of herself—an outlook she hopes can inspire others facing hardship to find strength within their story.