Karla Peters

My story begins with a UTI in May of 2019. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) I went to urgent care and was diagnosed with a UTI. I was given antibiotics. On Thursday I felt worse. I wanted to sleep. My youngest son made me go back to urgent care. Urgent care had received results from urine culture. They were trying to get ahold of me with no success. I got to urgent care and I was in septic shock. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) I really think I would have died if I stayed home.

I’ll always be grateful for my son. The antibiotic they gave me wasn’t the right one and didn’t touch my infection. I was rushed to ER and admitted to ICU. My blood pressure had plummeted to 38/18. I didn’t know what was going on. I was so confused and in intense pain. My kidneys started to fail. Between the vasopressors and antibiotics I started to recover. I spent a week in ICU. I am one of the lucky ones. No induced coma or amputations. I have slight kidney and heart issues. I’ve had seven surgeries in last 3 years.

I have to say I am so blessed and grateful to have made a miraculous recovery. Except now I am dealing with all the post-sepsis issues. Extreme fatigue, horrible brain fog, disabling joint pain, memory loss, hair loss, insomnia and hallucinations. These last 3 years have been tough. I keep hoping I will feel better. I’m still hoping. I worry about getting sepsis again and not making it. I sure miss the old me who was so strong and active. Always busy playing tennis, bicycling, walking, going places just having fun. I really now have to push myself to do anything. I just miss my old self. Don’t get me wrong I’m so grateful to be here. I guess this is a new normal. Take care all❤️