A young mum’s ‘worst nightmare’ came true after she had a fatal asthma attack in her bed.
Amy Greenwood had only just moved into her new home with fiancé Keagan Boylan and her two children Bailey, four, and Orla, eight months.
The 22-year-old from Skelmersdale, near Wigan, had her whole life ahead of her and was due to get married in June 2023.
However, she had ‘debilitating’ asthma and was struck by a sudden asthma attack on Wednesday, October, 19, The Manchester Evening News reported.
Her family desperately performed CPR on her in her own bed as they waited for paramedics, fearing the worst as she was rushed to hospital.
Despite the best efforts of medics at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, Amy later died on Friday, October 21.
Amy’s dad Paul Greenwood said that his eldest daughter feared going to the shops alone in case she had an asthma attack, and that having an attack at home was "her worst nightmare" come true.
“It is just a shock,” Paul said.
He added: “On Wednesday she was a bit wheezy. I was at a game at the time and she rang me because Orla had just started crawling.
“She had a shower and when she was on Facetime to my wife she said she was feeling better and went to bed.”
Amy went on to have an asthma attack that proved fatal.
Paul continued: “There was hope that she would survive after the asthma attack at home in bed. We all performed CPR on her while we waited for the paramedics.
“They blue-lighted them to Wigan. A sister later told us the family needed to come to see her - we still felt there was some hope.
“They [Wigan Infirmary] looked after her really well. We cannot fault them. Their care was second to none. With asthma, everyone thinks you take a puff on a blue inhaler and you are fine.
“It is much more than that. It is the research into it and so much more behind the scenes that we need to look into. Asthma is so debilitating.”
He went on to describe how even something as simple as taking her children to school was sometimes a difficult task for Amy.
He admitted she always feared an attack coming on and had been excited by the news she would be coming off steroids - which she did not like due to the side effects.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Paul described her as a ‘lovely’ and ‘caring’ woman and an ‘adoring mother’ who would look out for everyone.
Now the family wants to raise awareness over just how bad this condition is and they are keen to raise funds for Asthma and Lung UK.
Amy’s mum Joanne ran the London marathon to raise money last year, and Amy's brother James, 20, will follow suit next year.
The family want to see further research into more advanced treatment for people with severe asthma, like Amy, which is why they are keen to raise money and awareness following her death.
A GoFundMe page was set up in honour of the family to help them with ‘anything they need’ by family friend Julia Hale.
It has already generated more than its original target of £7,000. The family have been overwhelmed by this community response and believe some of the money will go towards their chosen charity - but have not fully decided on what to do with it all yet.
Despite this shock, 'Amy led a full life’, Paul said. He explained that asthma ‘was always a part of her’ but it did not stop her living her life completely.
