Matt Kueber

I have a neurogenic bowel and bladder from a spinal cord injury in 2007. Since, I have had to catheterization myself every 4 hours. (Sepsis and Invasive Devices) I have no feeling or sensation so as a result, infection symptoms are hard to identify until its pretty bad. I have a fine line to balance because I can’t always treat every time my urine culture is colonized with bacteria because I can develop antibiotic resistancies. So I’m always at the mercy of my urologist on when to treat, which is very difficult for me.

On 2 occasion now its been too late and I have became septic., once in septic shock with a kidney phlegmon and the other with sepsis. Both times I was in ICU for over a week. I now live in constant fear and anxiety of when will it happen again, always checking my temp, pulse, and bpm.

I feel safe when on antibiotics and when not on antibiotics the fear is never ending. I wish I could live on antibiotics forever. Panic, nightmares, and fatigue does haunt me but I am so blessed to be alive and pray for continued good health and strength to continue winning. Luckily I have my wonderful wife and kids beside me all the time and especially when I’m terrified. Stay strong to all.