Ref. 28329-15A Swindon grandmother almost died after being struck down by an illness that has affected only a couple of hundred people in the world.

Housewife Janet Connor, 56, is believed to be the only woman in Swindon, and possibly England, to have emphysematous pyelonephritis a bacterial infection of the kidneys and lungs.

And it is so rare that there have been only around 200 reported cases worldwide since it was discovered in 1898.

Janet, of Haven Close, Coleview, spent the last three weeks in intensive care at Swindon's Great Western Hospital where medics said her chance for survival was slim.

Janet's daughter Karen Hughes, 36, told how the family feared the worst when doctors broke the news of the illness.

Shop manager Karen, of Osborne Street, Gorse Hill, said: "It's really a miracle that she's alive. Even the consultants said they were surprised that she had pulled through so well.

"But mum's a fighter. She has been through an awful lot in the past three weeks but she's still with us and that is truly amazing."

Janet, whose other children are Tracey Baxter, 36, and Mark Connor, 32, was rushed into Swindon's Great Western Hospital in November after she became delirious and failed to recognise her family.

Karen said: "Her breathing was heavy and she was very weak so I called for a doctor who ordered an ambulance straight away.

"At the GWH mum underwent a string of tests and examinations."

The doctors discovered that a kidney stone had burst causing the kidney to rupture. A subsequent operation to determine the extent of damage showed the kidney had become infected.

"We were told they had to remove the kidney," Karen said.

"It was touch and go and we were told she probably wouldn't survive the night as the infection had spread all along her right hand side.

"She was taken to intensive care. We gathered all the family round that night and really thought that was it.

"But she survived the operation because she's a real fighter."

The following week Janet underwent an operation to drain fluid from around her left kidney and lung.

Karen said: "She was on a ventilator for 10 days as she couldn't breathe by herself. We were told that if she had diabetes her condition would have been worse.

"She remained in intensive care for three weeks, and regained consciousness last week. After three hard and tiring weeks she is now out of intensive care and on a ward.

"We aren't sure if she will fully recover. Her immune system is still very low and she needs to build herself back up.

"Mum was very shocked when we told her what she has been through. She can't remember anything about it. But she says she can't wait to get home and spend time with her six grandchildren.

"She has been treated very well in hospital. We would all like to say a very big thank you to all the medical staff at GWH as without their expertise and care mum would not be with us now."

Janet's husband Colin, 59, a builder, said: "We were all so worried because no one seemed to know what was wrong with her. She has been moved into a separate ward now because of the risk of infection.

"We have to wash our hands with a special substance and wear rubber gloves before going in to see her."

Alex Emery