Leigh Cisco

On July 16th, 2014, I was at work when suddenly I became very ill. I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital and sometime during the night was diagnosed with ischemic colitis. Emergency surgery was performed and 22 inches of my colon was removed. I woke up and everything seemed to be fine. It was very painful but recovery time was 5 days in hospital and then home for 6 weeks.

I went home in the time expected and I was feeling well, and I had a pretty good outlook on life. Then suddenly on day 2 at home, complications arose caused by a staple slipping in the colon resection. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) My husband rushed me back to the hospital and I was admitted immediately. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was very worried and scared. Now I know why.

I was taken to surgery to repair damage and received an ileostomy. At that time, I was diagnosed septic. (Sepsis and Surgery) I was in the hospital for a month, and I had home health and IV antibiotics for another month, but I survived with the excellent care of my doctor and nurses and family and the grace of God.

In October, I had the ileostomy reversed and by November 3rd I returned to work. I am anemic and my thyroid has not been able to get leveled out since sepsis, but I am diligently working toward making sure I stay healthy.

Most days I am so glad to be alive and then some days I wonder, why me. (Sepis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome) I have mood swings and I feel exhausted more now then when I came home from the hospital and my muscles ache but I am determined not to let that stop me. I lost over half my hair and now it is growing back in snow white. I thought I would color it but have decided to let it shine so that when someone asks me about it I can let them know about Life After Sepsis.