Nancy

Partner of sepsis victim

In February 2023, my husband's battle with sepsis began. My husband was admitted in emergency with a severe kidney infection. However, blood tests revealed that a dangerous bacterium - Staphylococcus - had entered his bloodstream. The infection spread throughout his body and affected several organs. It was only days later that I first heard the word sepsis - a life-threatening reaction of the body to infection.

He ended up in intensive care, underwent major heart surgery, and experienced numerous complications: pneumonia, thrombosis, new infections. Yet he fought back bravely, even after countless weeks in hospital. Together, we rebuilt his life step by step - sometimes literally, electricity pole by electricity pole - during short walks in our street.

But sepsis returned. Another infection followed in 2024, a second sepsis, and finally a severe stroke that deprived him of his speech and independence. From then on, I became his voice. After two years of struggle and additional complications, he died on 5 February 2025.

Sepsis changed our lives forever. I learned how quickly a common infection can threaten a life, and how severe the consequences are when it is recognised too late or not taken seriously enough.

That is why I am telling his story today. Not just for him, but for all patients and families. Sepsis is not rare. It can happen to anyone. It needs to be recognised faster, treated better, and the consequences really recognised.

No family should go through what we went through.