Melissa M.

I knew that Sepsis existed, but I had no idea how widespread it was, or that I would personally have to battle it. I almost lost my life. 

I am 45 and I was a fit and healthy person. I ate a very healthy diet and ran or hiked at least 10k every day. 

July 19th after my boyfriend and I had dinner my nightmare began. I started vomiting after we ate from what I thought was an exposure to gluten as we had ordered take out - which I never do for this very reason as I am celiac. I vomited for 24 hours, and then the raging diarrhea followed Thursday night in tandem. Friday I developed a fever that continued to climb and by Friday evening it had hit 40 degrees. I tried bringing the fever down with Advil and Tylenol and lots of water which barely moved the needle, and I continued to throw up and have terrible uncontrollable diarrhea all night. I could barely even get up to go to the bathroom. Saturday morning I woke up in excruciating pain in my right leg, and when I tried to get out of bed I could not walk. I noticed on my upper inner thigh under my skin, it looked like 3 golf ball size lumps that were hot to the touch. I showed my boyfriend - and he said OMG, I have to take you to the hospital, something isn't right here. And I couldn't stand and felt like I was going to pass out. I started to get very scared.

Upon arrival and check-in at the ER there was a 3 hour wait. I was screaming in pain at this point. It was all happening so fast, and they were just going to let me sit there. My boyfriend was panicking as he knew something was really wrong as I am a very pain tolerant person, and he was trying to push me through faster. He found the ER doctor on the floor and said you have to see her immediately. I am so thankful and grateful for his persistence or I probably wouldn't be here. Once my blood work came back, it was not good. All my markers were terrible. I was in compete renal failure, my blood sugar was 1.4 (I am not diabetic nor have ever had issues with my blood sugar) and I was rushed for chest x-rays and a CT scan right away. The doctor told me I was very sick, but sepsis still did not even cross my mind. 

I spent the night in the ER in a makeshift bed, and the next morning, July 23rd, all hell broke loose. ECGs, Central line IV was installed - my veins were collapsing - my heart rate was off the charts - my blood pressure was dangerously low. I was dying. l was admitted to the ICU and was told I needed to have surgery to save my life. They believed I had contracted an invasive infection and that they needed to operate immediately. My family was on their way to be with me. It did not look good. I was in Septic Shock.

I was told right before being put under in the OR that that this was my life saving surgery, and that when I woke up, I was either going to wake up that day with my leg, or in a week or 2 without it, on a ventilator. During my 6 hour surgery I suffered acute congestive heart failure and an ischemic event in my heart. Luckily, I survived the surgery with my leg, but my family and boyfriend were told it did not look good and that I probably wasn't going to make it. The next 24-48 hours in ICU were critical, they said. My organs were shutting down and I was hooked up to multiple IV pumps, tubes were everywhere, I was on oxygen and fighting for my life. 

I had contracted an invasive form of Strep A in my leg, which caused cellulitis, and I was in septic shock. They didn’t know exactly how I contracted it, they said it could have just been as small as from a nick in my skin from shaving that I couldn't even see. 

That week in ICU I was the most dire patient in the hospital I was told. The 2nd week in hospital I was starting to improve and downgraded to a ward. That is a whole other horror story in itself best saved for another day.

Once released from hospital Aug 4th I was still very sick, in a wheelchair and still on IV therapy at home. 

I have been told that I am a miracle, as other people that go through what I went through do not survive. And that had I not been in such good health going into this, I definitely would not have survived.  

I am so thankful for the loving people in my life. Without all of you, I would not be here either. You all know who you are. ❤️ 

Sepsis does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at anytime.

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Today, I am continuing to heal. I am not 100%, I still have a very, very long recovery journey ahead of me. I have had 4 debridement surgeries on my leg, my days are filled with appointments. Doctors appointments, cardiology tests and appointments, infectious disease specialist appointments, I am seeing a dermatologist because I have lost 2/3rds of my hair and now have severe psoriasis on my scalp. I also start seeing a rehabilitation psychologist outside of my regular psychologist. Until just before Christmas 2023 I had a home nurse coming to my home 3 times a week for wound care. My life completely changed overnight due to almost dying from this horrible infection and sepsis/septic shock. I have lasting effects such as extreme fatigue, nausea, migraines and extreme anxiety. Overall malaise. Night sweats. Nightmares. Not to mention the pain in my leg from the infection, sepsis and surgeries. I also still have a lot of pain in my upper body. My limbs especially and my chest cavity, shoulders and neck. All feel sore daily. Its been that way since I woke up from surgery. I'm not sure if that is ever going to improve but I hope so.  I live in constant fear of getting sick again and going septic once again. I am told I am even at risk at the dentist now and must take preventive antibiotics even before a routine cleaning.

But there is hope. I am alive. I have my leg. I walk with my cane proud and regularly have my physiotherapist come to my home as I still cannot drive and have temporarily lost my independence. But it is coming back. I am coming back. I couldn't walk, I was in diapers and a wheel chair. Slowly I am getting my strength back and want to help others by spreading awareness and providing support to others who have struggled with sepsis and help with their recovery.

It truly is a miracle I am here. Sepsis is no joke, and I believe we need to spread the word and educate people.