Julia Ensley

Our home was hit with a stomach virus. When Julia began throwing up violently, I was sure she had it worse than any of us. It didn’t take her long at all to become dehydrated. We went to the local emergency room where the doctor said she had a virus and a urinary tract infection (UTI). (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections)

We asked about the small puncture on Julia’s heel where she had stepped on a tack days before, but it was quickly dismissed as unrelated. When asked about the rash and swelling, she was given toradol. For pain she was given Dilaudid. She was sent home just after midnight with macrobid and meds for stomach pain. By the next evening, her fever was 104.5 degrees. Her body was shaking and she was confused. We took her back to the emergency room, where I insisted they admit her. Her fever went down, fluids were given, and she was admitted. It was very difficult to get her IV in or blood drawn. She was stuck with needles numerous times.

Her doctor came to see her in the morning. He determined her foot was infected and Julia needed to see the surgeon. By this time her body was so swollen that fluid was leaking from her palms. I found out that her heart rate had been very high, her blood pressure low, and she had a high white blood count. Julia was put on IV antibiotics and was scheduled for surgery the next morning. I told the nurses that Julia was having trouble urinating and her fluids were increased.

By the end of the day, Julia could not walk or sit by herself and was in pain and asking if she was going to die. When her rash got worse she was given benadryl and her meds were changed, although I told the staff that the symptoms began before Julia had any antibiotics. She had the surgery to remove the infected tissue from her foot and the surgeon said Julia looked like she had sepsis. I had to Google the word.

After the tissue was removed, Julia felt better and her doctor came in to evaluate her. He said her rash and swelling were viral and he was discharging her. She went to pee and had again a very small amount of coffee colored urine. I was scared to take her home. After being persistent with hospital staff, Julia was given a sonogram of her kidneys and bladder. She was immediately transferred to children’s hospital.

The doctors there immediately put her on clindamycin, they ran extensive test, and assigned her a team of doctors. Julia’s liver was swollen, her kidneys were not functioning properly, Her albumin and sugar were low and she was treated for a systemic staph infection. It had spread through her bloodstream. After a few days, tests, treatments, lasix, etc., Julia was stable enough to come home.

Today is day two. It is 1am and I am waiting to check her temperature again. Even though she was sent home with strong antibiotics, I am still nervous. She has slept most of the day. Hopefully it is just her body trying to heal. We go for her follow up on the morning. I am very thankful that God has blessed us with allowing her to respond to the antibiotics. I will try to share her story and what sepsis is to everyone I know. She is 13 years old. My angel.

Source: by Jennifer Ensley (Julia's mother)