By Crystal Chan

EVEN at the risk of death, Madam Teo Siew Kim is unwilling to have the decaying parts of her limbs removed.

Doctors have told her that surgery may be needed but she is hanging on for a miracle.

In the meantime, Madam Teo, 60, sits in a wheelchair and stares at her blackened hands and legs, not knowing what lies ahead.

Her gangrenous limbs arose from complications during treatment for septic shock in hospital.

Gangrene is the decay of flesh following the death of soft tissue from a lack of blood supply.

Although CGH doctors have said that gangrene could cause serious problems to her health, Madam Teo will consider amputation only as a last resort.

Speaking to The New Paper at her four-room flat in Pasir Ris Drive 2, she said in Mandarin: 'I still have some feeling in my hands so I'm holding on to hopes for a miracle.

'Perhaps, I can get better. For now, the decay seems to be under control so I'm not giving up hope that I can become less dependent on my children to care for me.'

She cannot come to terms with what has happened. Neither can her husband, Mr Ong Or Thor, 64, a part-time driver, or her two children, Mr Ong Kok Heng, 36, an odd-job worker, and Miss Ong Hwee Peng, 34, a civil servant.