Hi, I’m Diane M.
My sepsis story started July 8, 2016. I was having an ovary removed to check for cancer. The surgery was supposed to be 45 mins but it took 1.5 hrs, and unexpectedly I had staples put in. A week later I went back to have the staples removed and noticed a smell that I recognized from my work in healthcare. It was an infection. I told the staff, was handed a prescription for antibiotics, and sent home.
That evening I ran a fever, hallucinated, and struggled to breath. 911 was called. After waiting a few hours I finally saw a doctor, and everything went like a whirlwind. Blood was taken, scans were done, and then the doctor removed a small amount of dead flesh. I was put on strong IV antibiotics and admitted to hospital. About 3 days later I thought I was starting to improve, but boy was I wrong. A third doctor came in to check some tests and all I can remember is him saying “We’re losing her, call her family”. My son was told I died on the table, but I survived. When I woke the next day I had a 34cm long, 6cm deep, 6cm wide open incision across the bottom of my stomach and was hooked to a VAC (Vacuum-assisted Closure) machine to help the wound heal.
One week later I was sent home to heal, with home support nurses (my coworkers) coming in every second day to clean, and pack the wound and VAC machine. The nurses said it would probably take 8 plus months to heal - it took 5 months. In the meantime I was having memory issues. I would forget what I was saying mid-sentence or how to spell words. It was so frustrating.
I was also told I could start driving again. It took me 2 weeks to get up the nerve to, but when I did I shook like crazy. I couldn't figure this out, considering I’m a home support worker and driving is part of my job. This is when I was when I was told I had PTSD.
During my healing at home I had to have forms filled out for insurance. I got my hospital reports and this is when I found out what truly happened to me. During the first surgery my bowel was nicked and some ligaments were damaged. There was also the big one - I had sepsis.
Determine to return to work I spent almost a year in physio trying to get my strength back in my legs. I no longer have feelings in my bottom stomach, and one side swells up when lifting because the muscles are destroyed on that side. I was fortunate enough to work for a company that works with me and my disabilities, as I only can work half days now, no long walks, lifting clients, or transfers, but I’m alive and working.
I joined some Facebook sepsis groups for support, which helped. I realized there were none for Canada, so I started Sepsis Survivors Canada Post-Sepsis Syndrome (PSS Support), which has helped a lot in my healing mentally. I also am a patient partner with Canadian Sepsis Foundation, and am determined to get support and knowledge out there for SEPSIS.
It’s been 3 yrs. I still tire easily, have leg issues, the odd memory issue, and the odd PTSD episode, but I’ve mostly come to terms that I will never be the old me again, and will help PSS survivors as much as I can.