Michelle McKew

I recently was spent time in ICU with sepsis in the blood. I had been unwell for quite sometime, so this day when events unfolded was ‘normal’ to me.

My mother and myself were to Skype my sister and she had come over for this, only to find me unconscious. I had been vomiting earlier and now my bowels were out of control. She rang for an ambulance. They gave me morphine and IV. I went through two bags by the time I arrived at the hospital.

I was in the EU (emergency unit) all that day and night before they could stabilise me and about 10 pm, I went to ICU. I was that dehydrated that trying to find a vein for blood was a dilemma for doctors and nurses. I also had a catheter attached. I had two lines put in one on my left wrist and the other in my neck (carotid artery). This was very distressing for me. I also had water on my lungs so I was put on oxygen. The staff were all so lovely. I had a couple of nights where I thought I was in a pub and I was going on a trip with explorers to a town. I spent Easter in ICU.

I went into an isolation ward afterwards. My temp kept spiking. After another week I was released. I didn’t know what to expect when I came home. I am diabetic.

I have my days. I do get tired more easily. I do become teary eyed. I have trouble trying to remember or even think. My brain literally hurts sometimes. I have flashbacks. My husband is lovely and works very long shifts. My Mum comes around when she can. It just is one day at a time.