Kassy Espinoza

Take care of your open wounds-clean them and bandage them because any bacteria can get into your body and it can cause sepsis.

Exactly one year ago today I was diagnosed with sepsis and septic shock syndrome. I got bit by a spider but that’s not what caused the infection – the open wound is what caused me getting sepsis/septic shock syndrome. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections) I remember going to the hospital because I was feeling very weak and I knew something was going on. The hospital sent me back home that morning. Later that night I couldn’t take anymore pain. I ended up going back to the hospital. I couldn’t even walk inside. My husband had to get me a wheelchair chair.

I had chills, my body turned purple. I felt like I just got done running a marathon. I couldn’t breath. I had a fever. I literally thought I was dying. I remember waiting in the waiting room and telling my husband I’m going to pass out here in this waiting room. Luckily they called me back shortly after. Once they checked my vitals they quickly let me know that I was being admitted into the ICU. I thought to myself over a spider bite? No it wasn’t over the spider bite. It was the fact that I didn’t take care of the open wound.

I was in the ICU for two weeks. The doctors didn’t know what antibiotics to give me because they didn’t know what the infection cause was. They had me on so many antibiotics, trying out different antibiotics because none were working. I remember feeling helpless. I wasn’t getting any good news. I was feeling so cold shivering but with a high fever. I had very low blood pressure. My heart rate was fast. I had brain fog. My body was so swollen due to all the fluids. I didn’t even look like myself.

I remember around day 8 I FaceTimed my kids because I missed them so much and I didn’t even recognize my daughter. That broke me. They had to keep giving me medication to stop my blood pressure from going too low. Towards the end, I’m not going to lie, I started feel defeated like why isn’t my body working on its own without medication?

By the grace of God I am still alive today. Recovery was very hard. Brain fog continued, shortness of breath, low blood pressure continues and my skin had started shedding throughout my whole body. Overall I’m very much grateful to be alive. If I had not gone to the hospital when I did I wouldn’t have been sharing my story with you all. I want to thank my husband for taking good care of me. He didn’t leave my side once. I couldn’t have done it without him and of course my lord and savior Jesus Christ.