Maryann Perna

Shortly before her 60th birthday, my mom was hospitalized for what seemed like an innocuous, treatable infection related to some GI distress. I visited with her briefly upon being admitted and was relieved to see her sitting up, hair in a jaunty ponytail, laughing and joking with the nurse. My mom insisted that I should keep my plans to go camping that night and I had no way of knowing that she would be gone forever by the end of the weekend.

The next time I saw her was less than 24 hours later, having been transported to another hospital for urgent lifesaving care. My dad and I were informed that she was succumbing to sepsis, despite the team’s best efforts to save her life. I held her hand and watched her take her last breath. I hope she was at peace, I hope she wasn’t afraid or in pain. Sepsis does not play. I miss my mom. She never spoke ill of anyone, led with kindness, and radiated the best energy.

Source: Kim Showers, daughter