Yolanda Epskamp

My sister was a healthy 25-year-old women who suddenly got sick with pneumonia. (Sepsis and Pneumonia) The symptoms started getting worse to where she couldn’t breathe. My mother decided it was time to take her to the emergency room where the doctors decided to insert a chest tube to drain the fluid from her lungs. After an unsuccessful attempt clear her lungs they admitted her into a room. At this point she seemed to be doing better, her temperature was 98, she was requesting some soda and even laughing. After she had a few sips of her soda the doctor came into the room with several nurses and told us we need to exit because they had to try to drain the fluid once again.

My other sister and I decided to go downstairs to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. As we approached the floor level at which my sister was on, the nurse said they had to take her to ICU because she was not cooperating. Once we arrived to ICU, the doctor showed us the x-rays and said everything looks good, the only thing is that she has reached a temperature of 104. Hours have passed by and still no word from the doctor as to what is going on. My sister was still hooked up to machines and on a cooling blanket. At this point she was not coherent.

Around 2am the doctors came in the waiting room to tell us that her organs are failing and her heart has stopped several times. We had to say our last good-bye. After my sister’s passing the doctors were stunned, as they said, they didn’t know what caused this to happen. It wasn’t until we did our own private autopsy that we realized the cause of death was septic shock. Never before this have I heard of sepsis. There needs to be more awareness of sepsis and how it can be prevented.

Source: Rene/Sister