Paul

I am Paul, born in 1954. After a career in sales, I am retired. 3 children and 7 grandchildren keep me busy. My hobby is making toys, so that hits...

In early September 2023, I had been feeling unwell for several days and my GP took blood and the results (infection rate) indicated a serious problem. She made an appointment for me at the hospital where I went on Friday, but was sent back saying "next week we are going to examine some things". I was simply miserable and had been running a fever for several days. The day after, my partner found me unconscious on the floor and I ended up in the emergency room of the UZA in Edegem where, my partner and daughter told me, the word "sepsis" was immediately dropped and I was apparently given priority.

For the team at UZA, I have nothing but praise. I was given antibiotics 24/7 and introduced to all possible equipment and taken from one department to another for a long list of examinations and tests. It turned into a 5-week long stay at the UZA. The planned trip I had booked for my partner's 65th birthday fell through and we ended up celebrating her birthday in ... the cafeteria of the UZ. We will never forget that either.

I had never heard the word sepsis before but can now tell that it is a terrible experience from which, thank God, I emerged in one piece. I do still suffer from all sorts of 'after-effects'.

Meanwhile, I have met fellow sufferers who, unfortunately, due to sepsis have to go through life with several amputations from now on. So I absolutely cannot complain.

After the Pano report "Evil Blood" on sepsis, attention is finally being paid and there is apparently light in the tunnel.

Paul