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‘I did survive’: Pleasanton mom who lost hands and feet opens up about emotional journey

Krystina Pacheco went into septic shock and has been undergoing intense rehab, therapy

PLEASANTON, Texas – It’s been an emotional and physical journey for a Pleasanton mother who lost her hands and feet after she got an infection just days after giving birth last year.

Krystina Pacheco has gone through months of intense rehabilitation and physical therapy after she went into septic shock last October.

“I knew this was going to be really hard, and it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Pacheco.

Pacheco had just given birth via C-section to her second child, a baby girl named Amelia.

Doctors discharged her, but her body started to shut down days later, and she was rushed back to the hospital. The infection ultimately cost her both hands and feet.

“That’s not an easy thing to hear, and the first thing that popped into my mind is ‘I am a mom. How am I going to be a mom if I can’t use my limbs,’” said Pacheco.

Being a mom is what motivates Pacheco every day. Doctors gave her less than a 10% chance to survive.

“It does make me emotional when I think I could have died and not been here for my babies,” said Pacheco.

She returned home three months after her limbs were amputated, and she was reunited full-time with her babies and family. Her 3-year-old boy, Owen, was with her for many rehab sessions.

“He still is my ‘chicle.’ That’s what they call him because he will not do anything without mama,” said Pacheco.

She is still getting used to her prosthetics and returning to a daily routine.

Pacheco currently has both feet prosthetics and one for her right arm.

“Yesterday, I wasn’t able to hold a bottle and feed her. Today, I am able to do that. It’s just little things, little victories,” said Pacheco.

She’s also back at the office, working as a school psychologist.

“There wasn’t a week that they wouldn’t go bring me cookies or snacks or just for the chisme, work chisme. It kept me going,” said Pacheco.

The support from her husband, Jacob, her parents, family and friends has been incredible.

“There was times I just wanted to give up or days that are just like, ‘I can’t today,’” said Pacheco.

But she’s not going to give up. A Spanish saying outside her home reads “Mañana Sera Bonito,” which translates to English as “Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful.” It’s her mantra to keep pushing.

“I did survive, and I am here, trying to do my best for my babies and set an example for them,” said Pacheco. “God saved me, not only for my babies and my family but to help other people.”


ALSO ON KSAT.COM

‘Strength she has amazes me’: Pleasanton mother continues intense rehab after hands, feet amputated


About the Authors
RJ Marquez headshot

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

Ken Huizar headshot

Before starting at KSAT in August 2011, Ken was a news photographer at KENS. Before that he was a news photographer at KVDA TV in San Antonio. Ken graduated from San Antonio College with an associate's degree in Radio, TV and Film. Ken has won a Sun Coast Emmy and four Lone Star Emmys. Ken has been in the TV industry since 1994.

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