Carly H.

It all started with a positive pregnancy test in Jan 2021. After multiple ER visits and working with an OB, they had finally determined that I had an ectopic pregnancy. I received a shot of methotrexate but that didn’t work for me as I was already 13 weeks along when they found the fetus in my Fallopian tube. I underwent a salpingectomy on March 18th, 2021 and my life changed forever.

After being monitored in recovery, I was admitted for observation due to non stable and going in and out of consciousness. A CT would reveal that my bowel was indeed perforated during my surgery and I was leaking into my abdomen. (Sepsis and Surgery, Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) That caused an infection and quickly turned from sepsis into septic shock. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) I had an emergency surgery to repair my bowel and was placed on a ventilator as a life saving option.

My organs were shutting down and my family was preparing to say goodbye to me. I woke up 12 days later unaware of most that had happened (I only remember waking up 3 times during that 12 days). I struggled with my oxygen levels after being moved from the ICU to the surgical floor. All I could think about was getting home to my sweet baby, who had turned 1 just 3 days before my salpingectomy surgery. I went home after 45 days in the hospital, on 24/7 oxygen, and with a wound vac. I was barely able to walk by myself so I used a walker and always had assistance. Two weeks later and due to my immobility, I developed DVT in my calf and spent another 2 weeks in the hospital. From there, I spent several months building up my strength through OT and PT. I eventually was able to come off of oxygen and continued to build my strength.

After 5 months, my wound vac finally came off and I was able to function enough to be a mom to my son again. It was the best feeling and my greatest accomplishment. And while I survived septic shock, I am left with other ailments that I’m still fighting through. Due to my organs starting to fail, I had developed gallstones in my gallbladder within months. As well as a very large hernia caused by the wound vac. I have had both surgeries to get those taken care of but am now on the mend from complications due to my recent hernia repair. Another surgery is in the near future for myself as well as another wound vac as I’m not healing correctly. My sepsis story hasn’t stopped here and while I never see my life or body ever being the same, I fight everyday for myself and most importantly for my sweet baby.