Rose Stephens

2004 after yet another adhesions removal operation and 6 weeks after my mum passed away, I became septic after a severed bowel and ureter + 2 surgical clips left inside me. (Sepsis and Surgery, Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) All went undiagnosed for 8 days. 9th day, rushed to another hospital, operated on a few times. Put in an induced coma for 10 days and given 5% chance of living. When clips were finally found, a nephrostomy tube was inserted into my right Kidney for 18 months. Colostomy bag 18 months.

Had to learn to do almost everything, coordination,walking, talking, everything and live this new life I didn’t want. After 3-and-a-half months in hospital and a few near death experiences, then many returns to hospital and many operations to try to get me as back to normal as possible, I feel so blessed to have been spared from amputation. 12yrs later, so many complications, so much pain, frustration at the lack of awareness in Australia, of post Sepsis related ailments. Diagnosed with, PSS, PTSD, fibromyalgia, neuralgia and more….But I’m alive and a proud sepsis survivor❤️