Brenda Smith

Brenda Smith
Survivor

I am just 5 months post-op from a hernia surgery I was told was a ‘piece of cake, you’re young and healthy,’ from the general surgeon whom I was referred to from my PCP. (Sepsis and Surgery)

I was discharged from my overnight stay even though I had reported to 2 nurses and the PA who did ultimately discharged me anyway. I had no memory at all over the next 10 days, only one memory of speaking to adult son over the phone on 11th day, 12-year-old daughter trying to help me eat soup the next day and a flash of memory after collapsing in our 15-year-old’s bedroom, leaving her to call 911.

I was admitted and ‘treated’ over the next 12 days for HCAP (healthcare associated pneumonia) multiple abdominal abscesses, pelvic abscess, splenic abscess, collapsed left lung and large empyema and, if that is not a tall enough order, my family had learned “she is so sick due to the lacerated spleen that occurred during hernia surgery” (Sepsis and Healthcare Acquired Infections)

I was discharged from the hospital 12 days later with just a few flashes of memory here and there… I was told afterwards that the discharge took place even though my family had argued with the surgeon.   We had not learned severe sepsis had occurred at all with this admission until just this month, after combing through my medical records.

I was discharged home to myself and children, however, family would not hear of it and took me home with them, only to be back in emergency room less than 3 days later. But this time I had ‘graduated’ into full septic shock,  even receiving medication for heart failure.

I have suffered acute kidney failure and at one point is was undeterminde if the condition would be chronic and as of today it has not.  I am bothered and scared everyday that I am experiencing severe nerve pain and numbness which seems weird to experience both in the same same leg at the same spot.

I was given a nerve damage medication at last after the 3rd discharge, but was not thinking clearly enough to even realize what I was actually picking up or paying for.  I had been taken to pharmacy within the hospital in a wheelchair.

I of course followed up with PCP or, at least in order to gain some understanding and of course report the severe nerve pain, or I guess I have to say I at least tried to follow up….  After asking a few questions over maybe 2 maybe 3 appointments at most I was ‘patient fired’ by the clinic’s office manager.

So… Here I am…floating out here…exhausted, hoping and praying the incredible resistance I’m enduring is not a message that means I am not going to make it.

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