Simon Gilmore

Simon Gilmore
Survivor

After having sepsis I came here to share my story in 2016. I did not provide enough details to my story, due to trauma, but now I would like to, so here it is:

Update January 23, 2018: In September/October 2016 I had a lithotripsy for a kidney stone. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) They inserted a stent and the day after the next day the PA removed the stent! This resulted in a massive UTI and bladder infection. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) I started having excruciating pain in my lower back that night. I went into emergency and they gave me morphine and said that it is just sediment from the stone. I went home. The next morning the pain increased and I was showing signs of what I know now was early sepsis. I, went right back into the ER. They did the exact same thing as before. I even mentioned about the possibility of an infection and they said no. They didn’t even test for a possible infection!

The next day I was worse, vomiting, fever, etc., and again the ER ignored my symptoms. They just said it will go away. In total I went back and forth to the same ER a staggering five times in single day. I don’t know about you, but if I was a doctor that would tell me that something is wrong. Yet again they sent me home. That evening my mom checked on me and I had a 105 fever and rising. My brother called the ER and they admitted me into ICU, and finally diagnosed me with stage 2 sepsis. They administered antibiotics and other medicines and after a week I was good to go home.

My urologist was beyond himself, when he found out. He said that what his PA did by removing the stent so soon was irresponsible and said that a stent needs to stay there for at least two weeks to prevent things like this from happening. He was outraged by not only that but by how the ER treated me. And that he is going to the medical board about how the whole situation was dealt with. He deeply apologized over and over again. I accepted his apology and told him that it was not his fault and that you saved my life.

That was last year. I have suffered with some PTSD over this and couldn’t sleep for a long time, I would burst into tears and have panic attacks due to this. (Sepsis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Today I am doing a lot better dealing with the trauma. My body and mind are healing, and I am on a new diet/exercise routine, and feeling good and healthy.

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