Linda Ellerbee
My story begins with puppies. The night before going in the hospital I was giving the last puppy I had to my neighbor. We were standing in her yard talking and I said I feel weak so I’m going to sit on your stairs. A few hours later I felt sick to my stomach. Sleep was strange. I flipped and flipped all night. I began wetting myself. I couldn’t get off the bed. My husband was talking to me but I couldn’t hear him. He called an ambulance.
I don’t remember the hours ride to the hospital in an ambulance. In the emergency room I was asked if I had heart problems. I said no. They worked on me for some time. CPAP on. I didn’t like that. I have nine siblings. Two by two they came in. I thought, oh no I’m dying. At this time I was bleeding out my bowels. The nurses kept asking me to stop. LoL. I didn’t even know I was doing it.
The next morning came. Yay, Thank you Jesus I survived. I found out I almost died. My organs were shutting down. At this point I was more aware and the doctors were actually talking to me instead of my husband and family. He said I had a severe case of sepsis. Nobody ever told me what it was from. I’m assuming from dirty puppies. So, he said I have some heart problems due to the sepsis: atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy (congestive heart failure). After eight bad days I went home. I left the hospital after they taught me to walk again. I left with a walker.
Forever changed by sepsis and its circumstances. Two weeks later I fainted and went back, put in ICU and have developed bradycardia. One year after I got supraventricular tachycardia, and last year preventriculer contractions. And most recent lots of regurgitation, also diagnosed with vascular dementia.
I also have many autoimmune diseases and COPD, diagnosed while in the hospital with sepsis. I am a survivor. I couldn’t have done it without Jesus and lots of support. My husband is my biggest supporter.
Two and a half years after sepsis and I’m still a walking and talking miracle. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
