Katrina Houston
April 30, 2015, I went in for a normal out-patient laparoscopic surgery procedure. I was a little nervous of course but I didn’t worry too much about the procedure because it was out-patient and the recovery time was short. Well, shortly after the procedure I knew something was wrong. My stomach was in so much pain…just sitting in the car on the ride home, hitting the bumps in the road caused me drastic pain. (Sepsis and Surgery)
I got home and wasn’t able to eat, walk, sit up straight or anything. I slept the remainder of the day. May 01, 2015, was a complete blur. I was in so much pain. All I could do was take pain pills hoping the pain would go away. The pain was so unbearable I end up going to the ER. I explained my symptoms and informed them that I had laparoscopic surgery the day before. After being there over 2 hours, they sent me home with more pain meds and told me I needed to walk the gas off my stomach. They associated the pain with the gas from the surgery.
Over the weekend my condition got worse. I wasn’t able to eat, drink. I wasn’t producing any urine and I was throwing up. I went back to the ER, explained I just had surgery and again I was sent home. It felt like I was going to die. All I could do is cry. No one understand the pain I was feeling.
May 05, 2015, at 5am, I was in so much pain that I called 911. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. When I arrived, I explained that I had surgery a few days earlier and that I had been to the emergency room EVERY DAY after and was sent home. The emergency room doctor then assured me that he would find out what was going on and that I would NOT be leaving until they found out what the issue was.
After running a few test, it was determined that I had infection in my urine. That was the first indication to the medical staff that sepsis may be present. After running more test it was confirmed that during my procedure the surgeon had punctured lower intestine. I was rushed to surgery soon after. I was placed in a medically induced coma for 11 days. Several times I almost didn’t make it. My temperature was so high I was placed on a ice bed and soaked in ice towels the majority of the time I was in a coma.
The infection had spread through my body and was starting to cause damage to my organs. I had respiratory issues, kidney issues, heart issues, and issues with my Intestines, to name a few…I was in ICU for a total of 16 days and in the hospital for a total of 22 days. After being discharged, I had went through depression and the fear of getting sick again. My life has changed so much since being diagnosed.
I Thank GOD everyday for giving me a second chance. I had never heard of sepsis before being diagnosed. It’s important to know your body and when something doesn’t feel right…GO TO THE HOSPITAL- your life could depend on it!
