Jimi Dellinger

In 2015 I became pregnant with my son, I found out due to having a major UTI and going to the doctor. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections, Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was diagnosed with a kidney infection and I was five weeks pregnant. Very quickly after finding out about my son, I began getting very ill. At six weeks pregnant, I went to the hospital four times and a 24 hour emergency care center twice. They all diagnosed me with a kidney infection, as well as nausea from pregnancy. Within two weeks, I was 84 pounds and completely grey. I lost color in my entire body, I lost the ability to walk, and was dying. My boyfriend called the ambulance finally, and I was quickly diagnosed with septicemia. My kidneys were almost completely shut down, I lost all oxygen in my blood flow. The doctors told my family to prepare funeral arrangements as I wouldn’t make it through the next thirteen hours. I did pass away for about two minutes and was brought back before too much damage was done, however there was enough. I’ve lost a lot of memory, rather it be in the past or present, I have horrible short term memory. I survived sepsis, but it’s left me unable to live a normal life.

I cannot control my bladder, as I have to use a catheter every time I use the restroom. I’ve been denied disability three times now, currently applying for the fourth time. I’ve been on dialysis twice already. Yes, it’s helped me live as best as I can, but it’s taken a lot from me as well. I’m unable to work a full-time job and I can’t get assistance on top of it. However, I do stream video games to try to raise money to live month to month, but sometimes it just isn’t enough. I’ve done everything I can possibly think of to relieve my financial situation but I’ve just gotten stuck in a rut the last few months. I’m not one to ask for help, much less money as this is extremely hard for me. I have to buy my catheters, medication, pay bills, as well as care for my family. I do the best I can, but I’m to the point where I need to ask for help. I’m not able to pay my bills at the moment and some days I can’t even afford the medication I need to take. Days I don’t want to get out of bed are becoming more current the older I get and it just isn’t getting any easier. I don’t have insurance so this all takes a huge toll on me financially. My son lives with his dad full time due to my inability to care for him the way I should be able to at 26 years old. Luckily I’m not on dialysis at the moment, but I go to the doctor in March to see how everything is working, and I pray dialysis won’t even have to be an option. I would do anything to be able to live normally and work like a normal person but sadly, it’s just not in the cards for me.

I just want to be able to get ahead of the battle this time, It’s so hard not being able to work but wanting to so badly. It’s even worse when you’ve been denied so many times by so many people. I now have a wonderful group of friends who truly do believe in me and that are here for me. They pushed me to believe in myself and here I am, believing in myself. I’m so very grateful for them every single day.

I am so lucky and so blessed that both my son and I survived sepsis and I live to tell the tale. Thank you for taking time out to read this.

Source: Jimi Dellinger