Sepsis. A Silent Killer.

Here’s the truth. I’d much rather bury my head in the sand about all the diseases, illnesses and accidents-waiting-to-happen that could strike the moment you walk out the door.  But, in reality its much better to be informed, which is why I’m really grateful to Leanne for sharing her experience of Sepsis:

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Sepsis the silent killer.

Every year, 150,000 people in the UK develop sepsis. Of those, 44,000 die. 

• I hope that this list can help to educate us on what a infection or kidney stones can do if left un treated.

• In my case it led to sepsis.

• A illness that can be fatal.

• Here is my story of sepsis.

• I hope it inspires you to always listen to your body. Protect it and look after it.

• I was very ill for a few days after having kidney stones.

• I had a very high temperature, severe shivers and chills.

• I was extremely sick and disoriented.

• My little girl was saying hello to me and waving and yet I apparently had no idea.

• I was like this for a week at home getting prescriptions of pain killers offered to me via GP telephone appointments.

• I was just to ill to collect them. So instead hid at home.

• I took a nasty turn one evening whilst watching tv. My temperature soared and my body shook so much I just closed my eyes and thought I would die. I just wanted it all to pass.

• My partner rang an ambulance and they decided to take me into hospital, and I was left on a ward. Scared, unaware of what was happening and in pain.

• After hours of pain and not much communication I was taken to theatre where I assumed the kidney stones would be removed and I also assumed the kidney stones were what was causing me to feel this way.

• I can’t tell you how I felt, it was just terrible and I still have flashbacks of those moments. It’s these moments that changed me.

• The unknown, the waiting, the sudden pain. The person I was was slowly being eaten up.

• I woke up in intensive care thinking the stones were out and I could go home. How wrong I was. I was in a room wires coming out of my body from every direction.

• I didn’t really know what was happening I could see people but in moments all I could see were what I assume were hallucinations.

• I can still see them and remember them so clearly. Yet it amazes me that it was actually me experiencing all this. I had no recollection of the day or time. My time sitting doing nothing day and night didn’t phase me as I was not really there.. 

• I was here for a few more days. It was a strange experience. I didn’t know much about what had happened to me. A doctor came in and told me I was lucky to be alive and he asked me if I had seen the gates? I just laughed nervously.. Looking back it all seems like a dream or more so a nightmare.

• When I was finally allowed to shower alone I could hardly stand. So I sat on a chair in the shower a mirror opposite me. My body was thin and my skin was grey. My face was gaunt and yellow. I remember kissing my arms and thinking how lucky I was. I then began to cry because I could not lift my arms to wash my hair. It hurt, everything hurt. I wanted to lay down. I was in lots of indescribable pain. I did not understand why I couldn’t do ordinary tasks.

• This was all severe sepsis.Now some people loose limbs, parts of their face. I left it late in catching it as I was so unaware of what it was. But I was so lucky.

• I was left frightened. I still am.Could it happen again? am I ok? Will my children be ok if I’m ill again? It’s a never ending battle in my mind. I am now 29. I’ve learnt it can happen to anyone, any age. I was always such a carefree lady I was angry that I had become scared and panicky.

• Since then I have had another child. Bodies are amazing! I still suffer from sudden panic, dizziness, I still find my time in intensive care hard to comprehend. The experience haunts me almost 3 years on.

• You know your body. Sepsis can take many forms but in my case these were the symptoms: A high temperate, bad smelling urine, tummy and back pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.   

• If you feel like something is wrong go to the GP and get antibiotics, or take yourself straight to hospital. Bodies are amazing you can survive if you catch it in time and the doctors are aware of what sepsis is and it’s signs. 

• Raising awareness of sepsis is key and I really hope that I have done this in writing this list. It’s also a reminder to us all to always be kind as you never know what a person may of gone through. We are all heros fighting our own little battles.