Irene Hsu

My dear wife Irene died from late stage cancer and sepsis complications in late November 2015. I am writing this tribute in the hopes that our experience might help others become more aware of the symptoms and treatments of sepsis. (Sepsis and Cancer)

Although we were aware that we were facing a losing battle, we were not made aware that sepsis was a possible complication by our oncologist at a renowned San Francisco Bay Area hospital. When Irene complained about pain and rash in her legs, we waited for several hours before going to the ER of the same hospital not knowing what to expect. It took the ER 5 hours to diagnose sepsis and then the hospital told us treatment was futile for someone in her terminal condition and refused infusion sepsis treatment for her sepsis. Furious at the hospital’s refusal to abide by the patient’s and family’s wishes for treatment, we transferred to another local hospital which was awarded Sepsis Certification by the Joint Commission, and my wife received much needed standard infusion treatment immediately after arriving in the ER, without question.

Her vitals improved, became more conscious, and was able to fight on for another month before passing. Though we still mourn her death and cherish the extra month we had to say our goodbyes, I wish we had been made more aware of the possible symptoms of sepsis and that standard infusion treatment can be rendered without exception once sepsis has been diagnosed.

Source: James Yee (Irene's husband)