Maile Le Boeuf

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on May 28, 2015, our second child. It was an exciting time for us. I went home from the hospital ready to bond with my newborn and enjoy summer with my family. Soon after arriving home I was not feeling well at all. Unsure if it was normal post partum pain or not, I called my doctor’s office several times over the course of the week, eventually going in to see the nurse practitioner.

I was vomiting, my breast milk had stopped abruptly, my blood pressure was extremely low. I was having difficulty breathing and almost collapsed after going up my stairs. I was told I was dehydrated and over-exerting myself. They sent me home and put me on bed rest. Four days later I awoke and was blacking out in bed. My left arm was hugely swollen. I text my mom and sister stating, “I feel like I am dying.” We called an ambulance and later that evening I was admitted to the ICU. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth)

I went into severe septic shock. All of my organs began shutting down and due to the pressers, my legs and arms turned black. I was in a medically induced coma for two and a half weeks, fighting for my life. I am finally back home after two months in the hospital, a hysterectomy, two skin graft surgeries and rehab for walking. I still have wounds healing and nerve damage, but consider myself extremely lucky as my blackened limbs recovered and amputation was not required. I do however have massive scars all over my body and tremendous anxiety.

I know time will heal all and I now live full of gratitude and an inner peace that comes from a profound understanding of what truly matters most.