Kelly Bessel

I had heard the term sepsis, but I had no idea how devastating it was nor how high the mortality rate is. I also did not see it coming my way. Sitting on my couch one night, I was relaxing with a friend, watching TV. I hadn’t felt right all day. Within an hour and a half, I was lethargic, confused, and burning up. But I was cold. My friend had to leave, so he carried me to bed. It was then he noticed my high fever. He took one look in my eyes, and realized I wasn’t there.

I live in the country, and while there is a hospital within 10 miles, for some reason he rushed me towards the city with the bigger hospital. That was the best choice he could’ve made. I ended up in a hospital that was truly on the ball. With a heart rate at 170, BP in the 50s and dropping, and a 104 fever, I was in big trouble. And they knew it. They were quick and decisive in their actions. People were suddenly everywhere, and moving fast. I remember hearing over the hospital system “code sepsis, room 16….code sepsis, room 16”. It dawned on me that I was in room 16!

I asked the man cutting a central line into my neck if I was right in coming in. He lifted the sterile sheet that was over my face and said, “If you had come in a half hour later, we probably wouldn’t have been able to help you.” Ok. Now I knew this was serious. And then I don’t remember anything else until I woke up in ICU two days later.

I could not even lift my hand. Pain wracked my body everywhere. I thought to myself that being hit by a truck has to feel exactly like this. Family stood watch 27/7 to help with whatever they could. I could barely drink through a straw placed in my mouth. It took me another week in ICU, plus a week in a regular room before I was able to leave. There is no doubt that going to this particular hospital saved my life. It was a long road after I got out. There were months of recovery ahead. My entire life has changed because of having sepsis. I have nightmares of it happening again. I also have a weakened immune system, less stamina, and impaired cognitive issues. I know I’m lucky to be alive though. And I am grateful.