Sarah Kiehl

Survivor

Following years of endometriosis Sarah got pregnant for the second time. With an ultrasound, she got the surprise of her life, twins! On Thanksgiving day, 2015, her twin girls were born.  With a planned laparoscopic hysterectomy in February, Sarah was endo free and feeling great taking care of her 3 girls.

On March 5th, Sarah began feeling very ill as if she had the flu. After spending all day Sunday sick and vomiting, she went to the Emergency Room on Monday morning, March 7th. Soon after arriving in the ER, she was given a CT scan where it was discovered she had an infected abscess from her recent hysterectomy. The plan was to admit her and spend the next 24 hours or so on IV antibiotics. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth)

Once she was admitted, her fever went to almost 104. Sarah was given a medication that prevents blood clotting per standard hospital protocol. Soon after, Sarah began bleeding. Due to the fact the source was unknown and the high fever, the nurse ordered a Rapid Response to get all hands on deck. It was determined Sarah was septic and a second CT was ordered. Just prior to taking the scan, Sarah began bleeding internally and experiencing extreme pain. A second Rapid Response was called. The CT scan was completed and the source of the bleed was found. It was determined surgery was necessary right away.  sarah kiehl2

Sarah’s doctor performed the surgery that afternoon, making a vertical incision just below Sarah’s belly button. He removed two liters of blood from her abdomen, was able to stop the bleeding, and clear the abscess and infection.  With low blood pressures, pain, and fever, Sarah had a rough night. The plan was to then determine the bacteria she had contracted and spend the next few days recovering on IV antibiotics.

After Sarah’s blood cultures came back, it was determined that she had contracted Strep A, a flesh eating bacteria, and antibiotics were adjusted several times accordingly. With blood loss from the bleeding she required two units of blood, several doses of potassium, and lots of fluids to try and raise her blood pressure.
While recovering from Monday’s surgery, Sarah began spiking fevers. Her surgical incision was monitored and it was determined with the threat of necrotizing fasciitis, Saturday morning (March 12th) that she would need a second surgery to reopen the incision and clear out cellulitis caused by the strep A bacteria. (Sepsis and Cellulitis). This time, the incision was not closed following the procedure. The doctor wanted the best shot at tackling the strep A bacteria, so leaving the surgical site exposed to oxygen would ensure the bacteria would die off. She was fitted with a PICC line to administer drugs as required, and the surgery took place Saturday afternoon.

Sarah had a large surgical wound that after a couple days of being left open would require a wound vac to close the incision. After 13 days in the hospital, Sarah came home to her three kids, weak and required around the clock care. Unable to care for her children, friends and family stepped in. Home nursing care came 3 times a week for dressing changes and IV antibiotics. After several weeks, the infection cleared, her blood counts came up, and the wound closed. It is 4 months later and Sarah, although losing hair and suffering from some PTSD from the experience, is healthy and back to being a mom to three beautiful girls!! (Sepsis and PTSDWithout the quick response of nurses and doctors at Mercy Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati, Sarah would not have had the same outcome.

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