Mallory Funaro

My 15-year-old daughter, Mallory, died from sepsis following a car accident in 2002. Mal was in surgery the entire day of the accident. The first time the surgeons met with us to update Mal’s condition, I was trying to get them to tell me that she would survive. “If she makes it through surgery, she will survive?” One of the surgeons responded, “No, she is as hurt as bad as she can be hurt and still be alive.”

“If she makes it a week? Two weeks?”

“No, she could be wiped out by an infection in three weeks.”

We were informed that Mal would definitely get infections due to her critical injuries and the bugs that inhabit the ICU. We were also told many of the bacteria were resistant to antibiotics. By almost week two, I was absolutely certain Mal was going to make it. I lost track of time but I think it was day 12 or 13, I fell asleep with my head on Mal’s bed and my hand holding hers. I was jolted awake by the heat of her hand. She had a high fever and the surgeon’s words rang in my ears. “She could be wiped out by an infection in three weeks.”

Mallory ended up with five bacteria, including yeast, in her blood. Some, if not all, were resistant to antibiotics. After pleading with Mallory every day to fight just one more day, tomorrow will be better, on the 17th day I told her she didn’t need to fight anymore and she needed to leave with the angels.

As a result of the sepsis, Mallory died of multisystem failure. We were blessed and were with her when she died. This not a reflection of Mallory’s care. We know that everything that could be done was done and that her care was exceptional. Mal’s case is a little different. Her sepsis was expected, recognized, and treated. But it is still sepsis and had it not been for that, my daughter would be alive today.