Candice Clements

Survivor

It is now three years since I contracted sepsis, went into septic shock and suffered multiple organ failure. Like so many survivors I was in intensive care in an induced coma for almost three weeks on life support. My family was told I would die.

I think that Xigris saved my life but I also believe that my family and friends’ prayers and hopes and my spirit pulled me through.

After I woke up, I had no idea what had happened or where I was. My mum and my auntie were holding my hands and told me I was on the top floor at Oldham. I thought they meant the shopping centre, Debenhams toilets on the top, not ICU at Royal Oldham.

My feet were numb and cold, and I asked my daughter to bring in socks. She told me later the nurses told her, “Just humour her. Bring them in.” They were my little grey umbrella motifed ones. They lay in a drawer.

My feet were black. Necrotic I later learned the term. I asked my daughters to massage them back to life. When the doctor came and told me they needed to amputate both my forefeet, I opened my bowels onto the cloth that lay beneath me on the bed. I wondered how I would tell my husband and mother. They already knew.

To them, the fact I was alive was what mattered. Still on dialysis at that point, they wondered if my kidneys would ever work again. A nurse told me they considered amputating my left leg whilst I was comatose.

After four months and five surgeries I came home. My stumps touched the ground for the first time. Too bandaged for shoes but upright. Just.

I can’t begin to tell you how many ups and downs I have had in the last three years: my lowest point was being told both my legs needed amputating and my highest was on February 1st 2013, three weeks ago today.

I had been referred to the fantastic limb reconstruction surgeon, Mr Nayagam at Liverpool University Hospital. He operated on my heel at the Last Chance Saloon and….it has worked.

Life has never been more precious.

I can’t do what I used to but there is still much to do and that I can. I am still learning this lesson.

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