Diana Winsor

My name is Diana, and I’m a survivor of sepsis. I am 77 years, hairstylist, and had raised cockatoo parrots for 30 years. My story started Mar. 16/2025 when I felt symptoms of hot, and cold chills in the morning. I worked the day before in my salon and came home feeling drained, exhausted, lower back pain began so I thought I had the flu.

I fed my birds, started to change my birds cages but couldn’t finish, and basically couldn’t stand up anymore. My son came home to find me laying on the couch, and called the ambulance asap because I was turning blue. After being rushed to my local hospital, and after a brief emergency exam, I was rushed to another hospital where they had the machines to help me. I was immediately hooked up to the dialysis and ultrasound machines where I was failing rapidly and my son was asked to gather my family as thoughts of my death were being discussed.

I had sepsis and in my blood were findings of feather bird dust. After a tracheotomy was done and my windpipe was opened, I experienced going through a tunnel where I felt scared, and surrounded by dirt, darkness, and terrifying images. I was failing fast, and in the ICU for 4 weeks, but somehow the doctors pulled me through and called me a miracle. I remained in the hospital for another 3 weeks in a recovery ward, and released on April 25, only to go back on May 1st for a kidney stone that was found during my ultrasounds. A stent was put in, and removed May28th, then I was free to go home and start my healing process. After several physiotherapy, and home care sessions, I had to give up my birds, or I would be in danger and risk of another sepsis attack, and most likely death.

It is November 29th, eight months after the incident happened, and with a lot of professional care, and pushing myself to drink lots of water, nutritional diet, and lots of walking, I’m back to doing part-time light hairdressing, driving and feeling healthier again, and giving huge thanks to the team of doctors and nurses who worked with me, and especially the Good Lord who gave me a second chance to live . I’m truly Blessed🙏❤️ and am giving back to the community with my story of positive energy, and never giving up. Please don’t take life for granted, because it’s so easy to take away. Thank you.