Shana Curtis

I was rushed to the ER January 10th, 2016 with severe pain and I was unsure if it was my appendix or an ovarian cyst that had ruptured. After some tests and an examination from the lead ER doc, it was determined my appendix was about to burst and the surgeon was called in for immediate surgery. (Sepsis and Appendicitis) My appendix was removed and I was sent home that same day. After all this is an everyday no problem surgery right?

January 14, 2016, I woke up from a nap with a 103 temp, yet I was freezing and I was shaking uncontrollably. My husband rushed me back to the ER and when they couldn’t figure anything out they admitted me to the hospital. They determined my pelvic area was full of liquid but they were unsure what or why. Finally it was determined I had a leak from a suture that had busted sometime after my surgery. (Sepsis and Surgery)

By this time the bacteria had already entered my system and began it’s nasty toll on my body. I had at least 3 more surgeries, along with 2 blood transfusions and drainage tubes were installed as I had fluid building in my chest cavity. I was in the hospital for 20 days. When I was finally released, I had lost close to 30 pounds during that short time. I couldn’t bathe myself and I was winded from walking a short distance.

I left the hospital with two drain tubes still hanging from me along with a PIC line for the IV antibiotics that I had to have daily. I had to visit the hospital every day for 3 weeks for meds and then another 2 weeks after that was pill antibiotics. I was finally able to return to work February 22nd but it took about 3 months for me to feel normal strength.

My body was so damaged that I am now taking Iron supplements, pre-natal pills and estrogen to assist in the recovery to my system as I lost most of my hair. Yesterday was 5 months since my appendix surgery and I am reflecting and thankful God allowed me to live and pass hope on to others.