Suzanne Willis

On March 27, 2018, the day started off like every other day. I got ready, cleaned up the house, and got my boys ready for the day. I could begin to sense something didn’t feel right. I knew it was a kidney stone. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones)

The effects of the kidney stone took hold quickly. The pain, sweating, and fever. My mom took me to the ER, just like before when I had similar symptoms.

We arrived and were confronted with a decision we had never had to make before. We were told that there was not an ER doctor on site. An urologist was also not accessible. I had two options: go home and pass the kidney stone, or go to another hospital. With the assurances of my medical service providers, I didn’t feel it necessary to go for a second opinion. I was given pain killers and Flomax, and told to come back in a couple days if the stone did not pass. I returned home to try and pass it. Looking back now, I would’ve made the choice to go to another hospital had I known that there was a possibility of such a severe infection.

The next hours were excruciating. Not only was I experiencing pain, but I also started exhibiting other symptoms. These symptoms eventually led to me waking up – confused – on the floor. I had passed out. Although this was clearly different than my previous experiences with kidney stones, we assumed it still was related in some way.

It was spring break and I was still taking care of my boys and Tim was still working despite how horrible I felt. I was able to go to the family doctor to determine if anything else could be done to relieve the symptoms. He started me on antibiotics under the pretense that I may have E Coli. I was sent home once again after providing a urine sample.

I woke up the next morning in a state that can only be described as “deathly ill.” My mom text me “how are you feeling” and I responded “I think I’m dying.” Little did I know, I was. I was shaking uncontrollably and had an extremely high fever. My parents became concerned enough to take me to the other hospital in town. This time, however, was different. This time, my life would flash before my eyes.

The nurses began treating me under the assumption that my symptoms were due to a kidney stone. After doing their own tests, they determined that I had passed the kidney stone. I DID NOT PASS THE STONE! I had a strainer and wasn’t even hydrated enough to use the bathroom. I had so many people praying for me. I am telling you right now it was the power of prayer! However, the ER doctor discovered my heart rate was rising drastically and I was beginning to experience SVT. He did one last test. Neither I, nor my family, fully understood the extent of the situation until the doctor came back in and calmly explained to us what was about to happen. He proceeded to tell us that I was being diagnosed with Severe Septic Shock.

It was decided to put in a central line in order to administer fluid and medication quickly. My breathing became sporadic, my heart rate continued to rise, and my blood pressure continued to decline. The last thing I remember is one of the nurses saying I looked like Lady Gaga (because of the sterile plastic over my face) and singing one of her songs. Next thing I know I am waking back up to them pumping my chest and saying my name while giving me oxygen. The doctors decided they needed to reset my heart via chemical cardioversion due to my heart rate being over 220. I was transported to the ICU and I was given a catheter.

One of the first things they did in ICU was try and insert an Arterial line. After 6 failed attempts, it was unsuccessful. I am pretty sure the whole hospital heard me screaming. These were some of the most painful moments of my experience.

I was diagnosed with ITP and given two doses of IVIG.  I was also given water pills to help rid the fluid from my body (they had to pump me full of fluid when I got there because my organs were not getting enough), and oxygen. My fever lasted 4 days. In these times, I would start to shiver and become freezing cold. These are just some of the symptoms I experienced during my stay.

On my second night there I started to freak out because I couldn’t breathe. The nurse said I was fine and checked my oxygen. I was just having panic attack. For the next couple nights I had to be sedated to go to sleep.

My last day in ICU came to an end after I was fever-free for 24 hours. In addition, it was determined that the Levaquin was successfully treating me after trying four other antibiotics. My central line was removed, and I was given a portable heart monitor for my next three days outside of ICU. It was at this point that my fear began to recede.

Life after sepsis has not been as normal or easy as I expected. I experience a lot of discomfort due to kidney inflammation. I’ve been told by my cardiologist that I have PSVT and by another cardiologist that I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which will require me to take medicine for the rest of my life. I’ve also been experiencing issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as a result of this experience. (Post-Sepsis Syndrome, PTSD) All of these medical problems affect how I feel, how I interact with people, and how I ultimately live my life.

Despite the struggles I have faced, and the experience I went through, I do not let them define me, or define my life.