Deb B.

In April 2018 I wasn’t feeling well. I had been uncomfortable for about a week with abdominal issues, but it was just that, uncomfortable, not really in any pain. On day #8 I knew the only answer was the ER. By the time I arrived, I was in pain and seriously needed medical attention. Thanks to an attentive ER nurse, it was determined that I had sepsis. in addition to an ovarian mass and diverticulitis.

They immediately started two IVs of antibiotics and admitted me. It was the first time I’d ever been in the hospital. The next morning the infectious disease doctor came in and asked how long I’d been in pain before coming to the ER and when I told him, “8 days,” he responded with, “You do know that people who live alone who get sepsis don’t often survive it don’t you?” So I’m one of the very lucky ones — I was in the hospital for more than 4 days and then back in the hospital 45 days later with another bout of diverticulitis and a partially collapsed lung (due to an upper respiratory infection), before finally having major surgery in July for the diverticulitis and the ovarian mass.

I’m very lucky that my sepsis was caught very quickly and responded well to treatment — but it scared me enough to want to raise awareness about the impact that it can have on your life and your immune system.