Chris Kuchnicki

In late February of 2014, I was hospitalized near my home in Chicago with a severe episode of asthma. While in the hospital for a week, I sustained an open wound to my ankle from an allergic reaction to codeine they gave me for the pain from having to push so much fluid from my lungs. They discharged me with oral steroids after being on IV steroids and fluid for a week.

I went home on pain medicine, and fell and hurt my back. I didn’t think anything of it for days until about 3 or 4 days later when I had a bump on my back near my spine and could barely move without screaming in pain. This pain kept getting worse, but I hesitated going back to the ER as I didn’t want to seem like a bothersome patient, coming back to the same hospital. Eventually the next afternoon I figured I blew a disc in my back and HAD to go. They not only had to lift me in the stretcher but help me dress fully, and I was screaming in pain as every part of my body began to hurt.

By the time I was in the ER, they had me on the maximum amount of pain medicine, but my BP was dropping and they ran a bunch of tests. I figured worst case, I’d need surgery for my back. Never, after leaving the MRI machine, did I think I would hear what I heard: We’re going to admit you for an infection and your liver and kidneys are failing. We aren’t sure but we may need to move you to ICU.

At that point I was calling my parents as I was along with just a friend and my family lives states away. Septic shock is a word I had heard in shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and other medical shows, but I had no idea really what it was. I had a spinal cord abscess and, before I knew it, I was gradually getting worse after being admitted to the med/surg unit of the hospital. They quickly rushed my bed into the ICU and started hooking up IVs and bags of so many different medicines. All sorts of doctors from just about every specialty were at my foot asking me questions. I was alone at that point as only family were allowed in the ICU. I was so scared and my only connection to family was via phone. Fortunately my Mom is an RN and knew what sepsis was. From being a severe asthmatic I already had an “advanced directive” about being intubated, and I am thankful that right at the moment when it got to its worst, it turned around and went the other way, starting mid morning the next day.

I was having hallucinations that they were trying to “plot to kill me”. I literally looked out the window and thought I saw men in “military uniforms” coming down from “choppers”. I asked the nurse to help me get the phone and told her to call my Mom and put her on the phone. She reassured me that the infection was in my brain and entire body and that I would be in pain, and that they were making plans to fly out to me. It was touch and go the entire way. I am a sepsis survivor because I didn’t let it define who I was, but each day got stronger. And for a while, I had guilt as to why I survived and the other patients in the ICU around me didn’t.

I now know I survived so that I could tell you my story today and help spread awareness of sepsis to others. I was left with lasting effects on my body such as serious muscle atrophy, which is an ongoing struggle. Mood changes and concerns with my heart and other organs are still up in the air as my recovery continues. I sing and dance in a chorus here in Chicago and I was so worried I’d never be able to do that again as I was looking at possible loss of the use of my legs or even death. Me living was all the motivation I needed to make it through rehabilitation and perform in our next show in my chorus. The day I stood on that stage was a VICTORY for me, and I was lucky to have a few friends around me who cheered me on!

I thank God every day I am alive and I am here to tell every one of you my story and hope I can help comfort others who are also survivors, those who know survivors, or even those who have lost loved ones. My HEART goes out to you all. We must stick together to spread awareness! My name is Chris, and I AM a Sepsis Survivor! (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome)