Julie Tulley

I had sepsis from a burst appendix at age 10. (Sepsis and Appendicitis)  The infection was too advanced and it took 3 hospitalizations and 4 surgeries to clear up the infection. I did not realize at the time the hallucinations were from the infection. (Sepsis and Hallucinations) Since it was the 70s I do not think anyone felt there were any “long-term symptoms” in relation to the illness. I feel now, in my 50s, the severity of the illness was not fully known (almost everyone has an “I almost died in the 70s” story). But as my current disability status reflects, I feel I have lived in constant “rebound” since the infection. It seems like to me it saps your body’s “rubber band” and it is never as resilient as it once was.

It really is a tragic thing to try to rebound from this, like no one understands the exhaustion that can follow even a small thing. Not knowing the symptoms and being held personally responsible as a child for not rebounding and then having difficulties from that point forward is devastating to a young kid. You are LAZY, you are being spoiled, etc., etc., all from no one listening when I was doubled over in pain with a burst appendix. Thanks, Mom, you’re dead now and I cannot even ask or find out about that 3 months in the hospital, in and out. And now I cannot take any medications without all the side effects plus more! It took months and months for the abscess to go away, what a nightmare. Glad this site is here. Don’t mess around with your kid people and don’t blame them !!!