Mia Cullom

On August 18, 2011, I began to feel severe pain in the left side of my abdomen. As usual, I figured taking some Advil or aspirin would help. But by August 19, I could no longer take the pain. My husband rushed me to the emergency room on August 20 and I was told I had a severe kidney infection. I had absolutely no symptoms. The doctor then told me that they would have to admit me for further observation. For a kidney infection? Well, ok….. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections)

After I got an IV antibiotic and pain medication, I began to shake severely and have chills. My blood pressure dropped, but the chills and shaking finally subsided. In the early morning of August 21, about 2:00a.m, I was admitted to a regular room and I began to shake uncontrollably again. I felt as though someone was trying to kill me. I could barely breath, and I became delirious. I heard a voice say, “Do you think it could be sepsis?” Then I heard, “Code Blue, we need a rapid response team.”

Next thing I remember, I was in surgery, having a catheter placed in my neck to combat the infection that had rapidly moved to my blood and was shutting down my major organs. As I was in and out of consciousness, I saw the shadows coming towards me with their hands out, with a dim light around them. I thought, “Is this spiritual warfare?” Because God said “Devil take your hands off of my child, she has work to do.” I had already been praying for my life, but at that moment, I began to sing Jesus Loves Me while I cried and begged the doctor to save my life.

After about 45 minutes, I was out of surgery and I woke up in ICU with oxygen (pulse ox [measurement of oxygen in the blood] was 66 and normal is 92 or above, and too low may cause possible brain damage) and severe pain. I was delirious, and my chest hurt. I was told I had pneumonia. My body was not responding to the treatment for pneumonia. After a CT scan and x-rays, it was determined I had suffered an acute lung injury.

I was released from ICU after 3 days and I was placed in a regular room for 6 days. I was able to look at myself in the mirror and I looked like death. I had to use a portable potty. I couldn’t understand how I had become this sick. I was placed on 1100 mg every four hours of saline to flush my system, plus two different antibiotics in my IV, vitamins, supplements, pain meds, etc. and I was confined to my bed. I was told over and over again by nurses and doctors that they didn’t think I was going to make it. Well, the devil is a liar.

By the 5th day, I began to walk around a little bit. Every time I would see the doctors, I would always ask, could I please go home? And I was told each time, you are sick girl, we have to keep you on these IV antibiotics. On Monday, August 29, I told the nurse, “I am going home.” My husband and I packed up my belongings, and prepared to leave. The nurse chuckled and said, you are all packed up with no discharge papers. I told her again, “I am going home.” She said well, your pulse ox has to be 92 in order for you to be released. After walking around the unit, and doing my lung exercises, my pulse ox was 94. Fifteen minutes later, I was in the car on my way home. No devil can hold me down, it’s time to roll.

I had a lot of time to think about my life, the things I had done, the people who I had hurt, the people who had hurt me, and after prayer with my family, I was told, I must forgive those who I felt have wronged me so I could progress in my healing.

I have never been so happy to be alive. I can no longer worry about trivial issues and things that are beyond my control. God showed up, showed out, and gave me a revelation. He wants me here for a reason.

Sometimes what we ask for can show up in mysterious ways. After facing death, and knowing that so many people do not make it after this mysterious illness, I am forever grateful to the most High God for getting me through.

Sepsis is deadly, can show up so rapidly, and kill within a matter of hours. But, it wasn’t my time.

The Doctors and Nurses at the hospital knew exactly what to do at the exact right time. Thank you very much for that.

Thank you for those of you who have prayed for me and showed a genuine concern for my life. I have never felt more alive in my life!