To look at her, you would think Leanna Apps was like any other, healthy, 31-year-old woman but two years ago she was lying in a hospital bed weighing just 5st 4oz.

Her skin had turned yellow, her body was shutting down, and her family prepared to say their goodbyes.

The Maidstone sales assistant was struck down by an autoimmune disease called pernicious anaemia, causing a B12 deficiency, a vitamin needed to produce red blood cells.

Now, after a long road to recovery, she is calling for the NHS to increase the frequency of the injections which keep her alive, and for awareness to be raised about the potentially fatal condition.

Mrs Apps, of Wingham Close, started to feel unwell at Christmas in 2014, and became so nauseous she could only stomach dry toast or biscuits.

Initially diagnosed with vertigo, further tests revealed a worryingly low red blood count and she was sent to A&E.

Mrs Apps told the Kent Messenger: “I kept being sick and got so weak I could barely walk. As my mum was driving me to the hospital I turned to her and said: ‘What if I have cancer? What if I die?’

“Her hands were shaking on the wheel and my sister was crying.

“I spent Christmas in the hospital with a temperature of 106F.

“I was hallucinating and couldn’t get my words out. It was awful. I was literally dying.”

Two days later Mrs Apps was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia and must now take B12 injections for the rest of her life.

It took two months before she could walk and talk properly again, and even longer before she could eat a full meal.

She still suffers from memory and speech problems but like many with a B12 deficiency, she is calling for more regular injections.

Currently the NHS provides them once every three months, but Mrs Apps says the effects wear off after a fortnight, leaving her in constant pain.

She is supporting a campaign urging the government to make the low cost vitamin injections available over the counter, arguing the condition is being under-treated. She also wants more people to know the signs.

She added: “If I hadn’t gone to hospital when I did I wouldn’t be here. It is so important that people, including doctors, know more about it as it can affect anyone.”

To sign the petition visit this website.