Former Dubai principal in intensive care with complications after routine surgery

Overwhelming response from residents after friends called for blood donors to come forward

Lisa Sherrington-Boyd is in hospital after suffering complications following a routine surgey. Courtesy: Gary Sherrington-Boyd

A former principal of a nursery in Dubai is in intensive care after suffering complications following routine surgery two weeks ago.

Lisa Sherrington-Boyd, an early years consultant, was found to have sepsis pneumonia just days after undergoing bariatric surgery to improve her quality of life.

Affectionately known as ‘the potty queen’ among clients, Mrs Sherrington-Boyd was transferred to the ICU department at a private hospital in Dubai after suffering an undiagnosed blood clot in her pelvis and lung.

“Unfortunately, we had a setback from yesterday’s surgery,” Ms Sherrington-Boyd’s husband, Gary, wrote on her Instagram page.

“One of the drains protecting her lung area failed because there was a significant blood clot blocking the tube.

“She had to have her third surgery in four days.

“She is back in the ICU room now with a new drain and a washed lung, so everyone please keep the positive vibes and prayers coming.”

Over the past few days, family, friends and colleagues rallied around on social media to appeal to people with RH O-negative blood type to come forward to help aid her recovery. The urgency for the blood was because her haemoglobin levels dropped to 6.5 grams per decilitre. The normal range for haemoglobin levels in women is 12 to 15.5.

As of Thursday, the blood bank at Latifa Hospital said it was full and had received an overwhelming response from donors.

Lisa Sherrington-Boyd has lived and worked in the UAE for many years. Courtesy: Gary Sherrington-Boyd

Late on Wednesday evening, Gary said further complications meant the ICU team had to put her into an induced state.

"She stopped breathing and the amazing team took two minutes of resuscitation to get her breathing again,” he said.

“I am at the hospital and the doctors are pleased with her progress.

"She’s staying induced until [Friday] at the earliest. Will update as we go."

Before the gastric sleeve surgery last week, Ms Sherrington-Boyd revealed to her followers on social media why she decided to undergo the medical procedure.

After a positive ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis, a type of arthritis that causes pain and stiffness in the spine, she said her reduced mobility had led to excess weight gain.

“I am going to share this journey with you,” she wrote.

“It will be a small part of my Instagram page moving forward, however maybe sharing it with you might inspire someone else trapped in the horrid and debilitating cycle of a lack of mobility, pain issues and weight gain.”

Ms Sherrington-Boyd, the former principal of Kangaroo Kids Nursery in Dubai, had the gastric sleeve surgery on January 21 at Emirates Specialty Hospital and was discharged 48 hours later.

Unfortunately, because of complications, she was re-admitted to the emergency department at another hospital a day later with several medical issues, which eventually manifested as fluid on the lung.