They sawed her leg off: How a woman was rescued from the Porac rubble by having her leg amputated

By now, we’ve all heard about Lourdes Martin, the woman whose leg was amputated in the Pampanga earthquake rubble, so she could be rescued.

According to news reports, Lourdes had been trapped in the Chuzon Supermarket debris for more than two hours. She lost a lot of blood, and in the process, was also about to lose hope.

The rescuers found her through a small opening in the debris, shining a flashlight as Lourdes cried for help.

They were accompanied by Dr. Noelito Lacsamana and Nurse Bernadette Besonia. The nurse kept her calm as the doctor figured out how to extricate Lourdes.

It was clear she needed blood, and that the only way for them to rescue Lourdes was by amputating her leg, which was caught in the rubble.

“Akala ko po talaga mamamatay na po ako. Pero pinilit po nu'ng doktor at nu'ng nurse na pumasok para lang tulungan po ako,” said Martin. “Nu'ng puputulin na po 'yung paa ko, magkaharap po silang nagtutulungan. Gising na gising po ako that time.”

While Dr. Lacsamana brought in the necessary tools for the emergency surgery— dextrose and anesthesia — they didn’t have the most important piece for an amputation: the very thing to cut the leg off.

Dr. Lacsamana asked the rescuers to look for a brand new carpenter’s saw so they could perform the amputation.

It took him, Nurse Bernadette, and the team of rescuers 30 minutes to finish the emergency surgery and rushed Lourdes out of the site and into the hospital.

It was only last Thursday when the doctors were able to close the wound. They were also able to recover the leg which was caught in the debris  from the earthquake site.

A few days after the accident, Lourdes’ physical injuries are starting to heal. She still cannot believe that she would survive the quake.

At this point, Lourdes only has one wish: To meet the “heroes” who saved her from the brink of death.

On Friday, Dr. Lacsamana and Nurse Bernadette visited her in the hospital. Lourdes took this chance to personally thank her “saviors.”

“Dahil po sa inyo, natuto akong maging matatag. Tinuruan n’yo po akong lumaban. Maraming salamat po sa pagligtas sa akin,” she said.

The recent tragedy taught Lourdes important lessons about life. It gave her a brand new perspective about humanity and its purpose.

Now, she’s ready to live again with one goal in mind: be a blessing to others. — LA, GMA News