Rose Aumen
As a registered nurse, I knew when assessing patients in the Emergency Room the appearance/signs/symptoms of sepsis. I never thought I would become a sepsis patient myself. I was in pretty good health for a 65-year-old female.
March of 2024 I had chills that morning, My right leg was hurting the day before and was still somewhat painful but tolerable. I took two Tylenol and went back to bed. After resting I felt pretty good, Later that evening I suddenly was unable to walk and had severe pain in my right hip. Bacteremia and sepsis took over my entire body. It was after midnight when I asked my husband to take me to the local Emergency Room. An MRI of my right hip showed a collection of fluid in that hip, I had bacteremia and was septic with E-coli. I had a urinary infection two months earlier that was positive for E-coli. Post medication, my urine culture was negative for further infection. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections, Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections)
I was transferred to another hospital for a higher level of care. I had to undergo a hip debridement and hip wash out. On the way to the OR l became a rapid response. Through the grace of God and quick response of nurses and doctors, resuscitation was accomplished. Central and arterial lines were in my groin and neck. This was scary to my husband. All three of our child rushed to get to the hospital (two each drove seven hours one way). Hours later after I was stabilized, I was on my way to have the surgery.
I don’t remember those first few days in ICU. I was transferred out of ICU to a step down unit for six days. I lost the hearing in my right ear.
I was then transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for two weeks of intense therapy to regain function in my right leg. After getting the pain somewhat controlled, occupational and physical therapy did wonders. I left to go home walking with a walker. Unfortunately my incision opened at the distal end and started with drainage. I would change the dressing two-three times a day. After being home four days I followed up with my surgeon. He was kind and gentle when I burst into tears after he said he needs to go back in and clean out the hip again. My blood work was normal, no fevers, and I felt well. But I still needed another surgery. The surgeon found bacteria again and removed it until he found healthy tissue. He placed antibiotic beads in the surgical site hoping this will conquer the bacteria. What was supposed to be an overnight stay ended up being a three night stay.
I had a PICC line for eight weeks. I administered my own antibiotics for the last six weeks. Protocol is to wait one year post sepsis for a joint replacement.
For one year my life was disrupted by walking with walkers, crutches, and canes. I continued to work part time as an infusion RN. My patients were receptive to my assistant devices with walking. I did not want to go out in public other than working. I was fatigued by days end and had a constant pain of a 6 out of 10. I needed to take a narcotic twice daily to ease the pain. Sleeping was difficult as I had to lay on my back in order to not disrupt the hip. It was a very long year. Many tears were shed during that time.
April 2025 I had my hip replacement and am walking pain free. Physical therapy is helping to strengthen the muscles in my leg,
I only have 40% hearing in my right ear that with a constant ringing. I share my story today because sepsis is quick to take over your body. I am a sepsis survivor. As a medical professional, I know I am one of the lucky ones, as some never make it.
