Margaret Davis Glenn

It all began on December 22, 2012 with a fall and a fractured hip. Mom was 87 years old, still extremely active and had a great mind! She loved the Lord, living life, her family and friends, and her volunteer work!

After hip surgery on Christmas Eve, she spent 10 weeks in pain, which we were told was normal after hip surgery. Though we continuously asked questions to doctors and therapists why there was so much pain, we always got the same answer….it’s normal! However on March 8th, 2013, the screws went through her hip bringing excruciating pain and she required another surgery. This time a partial hip replacement took place.

Mom actually got her life back after this second surgery. She was walking without pain and doing great!

But on April 21st, 2013, she began to sleep a lot and on April 22nd, she woke up very nauseated and shaking with fever. We took her to the ER where she sat for almost three hours. Although she was shaking so badly and could not hold her head up, she was not taken back, even at our request. Therefore, we had to leave to go to another medical facility to seek help. All of her vitals were great, no more fever, no UTI and though we told them she had a pacemaker and had had two surgeries, no mention at all that it could be a bacterial infection. We were told it was a virus.

Mom went to her doctor on Tuesday, April 23rd, and she was told to let them know if her fever came back. Wednesday, April 24th, things seemed back to normal but on Thursday, April 25th, her right shoulder became painful and she thought she must have pulled a muscle. On this day she was given her pain meds, she ate well and even had her two-hour bible study. However, by late Thursday night, it appeared something was not right again. Even though she felt better Friday morning, we took her to another ER where once again, she was almost released because her vitals were good. The only reason she was kept was because her neck and arm were becoming stiff again. Mom was admitted into the hospital and at around 8:30 p.m., the mother we once knew was changing drastically. She was calling out to the Lord moaning in so much pain.

It was a long emotional night and one I can hardly bear to still think about. Still no mention of a bacterial infection and no answers! At 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 27th, the nurses came running into the room with IV bags of meds saying she had a bacterial infection, and sadly the series of events that took place from that moment on were horrific. Mom’s kidneys were shutting down, she was in so much pain and her mind that was once so beautiful and clear was gone. Our hearts were broken and still we had no idea where this infection was or where it started. She was moved to ICU on that Saturday and we watched as our precious mother endured a week of suffering that still tears our hearts out to this day. It was decided on Wednesday, May 1st to move her to comfort care where she finally appeared to be in peace. We will also be forever grateful to the staff of ICU and our guardian angel nurse we were blessed to have for three days, but we were emotionally drained, physically exhausted and already grief stricken.

Our mother was our world; she was our best friend and our every day. We had asked so many questions, we had sought medical help, how did we ourselves miss this? Why are people not diagnosed or tested for this, especially if a person has had surgery, has hardware in their bodies, has diabetes, and has all the symptoms that clearly show a possible bacterial infection?

Our mother’s mind never came back, her body went into a fetal position, her arm that was stiff a week earlier had not moved since being admitted. We were on a rollercoaster ride as to why her mind went, why the pain meds were not working. Why didn’t someone during that entire week before her finally begin admitted into the hospital ever possibly think to test her for a bacterial infection?

Our mother was septic and infection was all around the hip where she had had surgery and her pacemaker. She was moved to a comfort room and hospice on Wednesday night, May 1st, and finally she became peaceful. Our family never left her and now we would be by her side until she went to heaven. Our hearts were broken and tired but we knew it was time to let her go.

What is sepsis? Something everyone should be aware of and we are so grateful for Sepsis Alliance for all they do to bring awareness and knowledge to people.

Our mother was a Christian and a strong woman of her faith. We knew she was ready but we were distraught and so terribly sad that if this could have been caught earlier the week before, she could have been saved and given more time in this life that she loved living so much. Yes, we know she was 87 but she never saw age as old… Mom was full of life and she would tell you that she was always grateful for every moment she was given, she was a young 87!

She lived a simple life but one that touched many, many lives throughout her years, including her 51 years of volunteer service for the Veterans at the Veterans Hospital and being a member of the AMVETS! Her life story is simply amazing and were we so blessed to have her as our mother!

On Friday, May 3rd, we had to make a decision to have her pacemaker turned off. Everyone had come by on Thursday to see us and say their goodbyes. Our hearts were broken as we prayed for her as she began to leave us. Her passing in the last few minutes was amazing and that is what has given us peace through the heartache and loss. Though it has been a year and half since she left, we still have questions, but we also strive to bring awareness.

Now we know what bacterial infections are and what they can do. We are aware of what sepsis can do and we will do our part to share with as many people as we can!

Our mother, Margaret Davis Glenn lost her life to sepsis but her family is keeping her beautiful memory alive and sharing her story in hopes of helping others. Our prayers and thoughts are with those whose stories we read, for those who pass away from sepsis, and for those who have survived. Mom would certainly want that!

Source: by Joyce Glenn Wagster (Margaret's daughter)