Kathy Lewis

I awoke one morning last March (2014) feeling a bit under the weather but ok to go to work. As the day progressed, I started feeling nauseous, then became uncontrollably sick. I went home, thinking I’ll rest at home and feel better.

I kept feeling worse with developing lower back pain. My son called an ambulance and I was transported to the ER. It was discovered that I had a kidney stone and beginnings of a UTI. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones, Sepsis and UTI) I was admitted, receiving a stent and antibiotics. After a few days, I was advised that after the UTI was cleared up. I would then have the kidney stone removed and was then released. I began a seemingly endless round of several different antibiotics (apparently I had a resistant bacteria strain) and urine tests for weeks. Upon receiving the all clear to go ahead, my doctor scheduled me for a in clinic procedure to remove the kidney stone and possibly do a stent replacement. My doctor made a last minute change to the procedure location because of her hospital surgery schedule.

I was to have the procedure done at the hospital, in and out same day. My daughter went with me and I checked in to await going to prep and then procedure. As I awoke in recovery, I was feeling extremely cold, having spasms with a increasing temp, falling BP and oxygen level. I became surrounded by nurses and doctors. My temp spiked to 106.5. I was taken to ICU…it transpired that I had a kidney infection.

During the procedure, the bacteria escaped into my bloodstream, inducing sepsis. I continued to worsen and was given an emergency central line. An alarming and frightening experience, as I could hear the doctors and nurses discussing my condition (very bad) and should they alert my family immediately. After 5 days in ICU, 8 total days in the hospital, I was released to go home. It has been a tough year. I became depressed, developed PTSD from the emergency procedure, I have no energy, I’m forgetful, and I’m not at all like my previous pre-sepsis self. (Sepsis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) I am making progress but haven’t been able to return to work. I may face early retirement because of the after effects.

I do all I can to educate people about sepsis and take my life a day at a time, fully thankful to be able to still enjoy my family and friends.