Maria Haight

On August 29, 2015 just after celebrating my 50th birthday, I was rushed to the hospital. In the 5 days leading up to this I had been dealing with an abscess on my left upper thigh, applying hot packs thinking it was a boil of some sort. The pain got to a point that was unbearable. Trouble walking and overall fatigue.

After arriving at ER, of which most I have no memory of, I was told I was in a life/death situation. The abscess had caused full blown sepsis and I was going into shock. Was put into a drug induced coma, fevers of 108, was attacking my body and all my organs like a tornado. Given all sorts of antibiotic cocktails and two surgeries to remove infection. Culture sent to lab and 5 days later the right combination to clear the infection was found.

Damage done though, woke up paralyzed from the neck down. My heart, kidneys, lungs, muscles were slowly coming back. I had a team of 9 doctors that I owe my life to. Spent two months at a rehab center relearning to do everything again with no guarantees while hooked up to a wound vac. Little by little my husband explained what happened as my memory of all of this begins at my time at the rehab center.

In November 2015 I was able to go home. More outpatient therapy but was able to walk with a walker. I live my life now with permanent nerve damage from my left knee down. Paralysis and left foot drop, no dorsiflex. (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome) I am a survivor and while I mourned the loss of the old me I have embraced the new me. I have learned how fragile life is and to always put your health first. I was a workaholic and should have gone to the doctor much sooner. I hope my story can convey no matter what life throws our way, never give up.