Amanda Soltes Fritz

Survivor

I am a 37-year-old daughter, wife, and mother to four young children. New Year’s Eve 2013, I was 10 days post-op from my fourth c-section. This day I woke from a nap in the afternoon in extreme abdominal pain. Having had four c-sections, I knew that this pain was something new (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth). I never felt so much pain before in my life.

I had my husband call 911 and was rushed to the ER. My vitals were stable upon arrival. After numerous tests and no real clear answer, it was decided I would stay overnight for observation. I was relieved because I was scared to go home. I just knew something was not right.

Overnight, the doctor came in after reviewing my newest round of blood work. The doctor had asked if I had liver problems and I said no. Then the doctor noticed my abdomen seemed larger. It was decided to do emergency exploratory surgery. Once in the OR, my vitals started to become unstable and a high fever started. Once I was opened up, the doctor’s found a hole in my uterus, a massive infection in my abdomen, and numerous adhesions. I had to have a hysterectomy. When they attempted to take out my uterus, the doctor accidentally cut my bladder. A urologist needed to be called in to repair my bladder.

amanda_sotelz_fritzAfter the surgery, I was put in ICU for five days. Once I woke up, the doctor told me I had severe sepsis. I had to receive several blood transfusions and I was told I was lucky to be alive. After my five days in the ICU, I was put on a step-down floor for two more days before being discharged. When I was discharged from the hospital, I had to go home with a catheter for three weeks. I was so weak that I couldn’t care for my newborn son for several more weeks. My older children, husband, and my mother were my strength. When I had additional problems with my incisions, my family kept me focused on healing. My incisions had started to open and leak fluid. A doctor had to “burn” my incisions to try to close them again. Thankfully this did work, but it took several weeks.

Its been a about a year and a half since this all happened. I still have struggles at times, but I try to stay healthy and exercise regularly. Being a sepsis survivor has made me a stronger woman. My family is stronger for having to go through this horrible experience. We try to enjoy all the small things along with the big. You just never know what can happen.

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