A WOMAN who nearly died after bacteria ate away at her nose credits baking soda with saving her life. Beatrice Johnson, 60, came close to death after falling ill with sickness and an upset stomach on December 20. Doctors at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Kent , diagnosed her with septic shock and advised her loved ones to say their goodbyes.
But during a final ditch attempt to keep her alive, she claims medics introduced sodium bicarbonate into her IV drip, as an alternative to dialysis. The unusual treatment was a success and within days, Beatrice, a part-time secretary, was ''feeling miles better''. After 36 days in hospital, she is now home and recovering well with her sister.
Beatrice, from Tunbridge Wells, said: "I never thought something so simple would save my life. "I really thought I was going to die but the baking soda made me rise like a cake. ''I have no idea how I got sepsis, it could've been a torn ligament in my thumb.
"My family said their final goodbyes. No one thought I'd be here today but I'm thankful they never gave up on my life." Beatrice's ordeal began on December 20, 2023, when she began to ''feel generally weak''.
Throughout the day, her condition deteriorated and she even struggled to walk up the stairs at home. Realising something was wrong, she called 999 and within 10 minutes she was being rushed to hospital. Beatrice, a mum-of-three, said: "As soon as I couldn't walk up stairs, I knew something was wrong.
"I called 999 and when the paramedics came, th.