Before I start my story I will introduce myself. I am Wendy 54 years old. I am married and have 2 daughters aged 25 and 29.
A few years ago, I went to a lecture on kidney stones, where I bumped into a former colleague (Carine). We had a drink and a chat. Here Carine told me she had been seriously ill, septic shock. I sympathised with her and was glad that she was doing well (at the time I didn't know any better).
In January 2023, I did not feel well at night and during the morning I felt sicker. Corona test proved negative. Since it was Sunday, I waited until Monday morning to fix an appointment at the family doctor. My husband went to the family doctor with me. Up to here I remember myself but what follows next I have "hearsay".
The doctor had prescribed antibiotics and advised me to take painkillers. I crawled into my bed at 9h30 and barely half an hour later I was out of bed again because I felt so sick and was in so much pain. At this, my husband took me to A&E. This was Monday morning, 9 January 2023.
I was admitted immediately. I had a small wound on my thumb and this inflammation spread over my arm. I was given 2 types of antibiotics, oxygen with nasal glasses and the wound was treated superficially. By this I mean disinfection and a windrow around it. On Wednesday morning, 11 January, they found me in the morning with my head in the dirt (this is how it says in my medical file). As a result, I was transferred to intensive care. A spinal tap is taken, an NMRI and an EEG is performed with the possible causes according to the doctor: meningitis-sepsis withdrawal symptoms (don't have an addiction). The doctor concludes: epileptic seizure despite my CRP values being very high (570), low blood pressure, high heart rate and the infection spreading at lightning speed on my arm. After consultation, I am transferred next day to intensive in Leuven.
In Leuven, I was admitted to traumatology (burns) for wound care, given a picc line to my heart and given a 3rd antibiotic. The wound had become a 2nd-degree burn and all the damaged tissue had to be removed and further cared for.
From Tuesday afternoon 17/01, I can remember things again.
On Wednesday 18/01, I am allowed into a regular room, though a single because I have contracted hospital bacteria. Here I am repeatedly told: ma'am, you were very lucky, you could have been dead. Septic shock was not mentioned.
On Monday 23/01, I was allowed to go home. There is nothing about septic shock in my discharge papers either.
Little did I know that back then the battle had yet to begin. I thought everyone says 'everything looks good, neurological tests are good'. I thought recover a bit and then go back to work. I felt lost in a body that wasn't functioning and with constant pains. The psychological aspect too: the days I know nothing about and seeing the fear in the eyes of my family and friends was hard. I thought back to Carine's story and contacted her. She explained to me what sepsis actually is and that it has a serious impact on your whole body.
After this, I requested my medical records which said in black and white for me the first time: septic shock. I let go of looking for those 10 days I know nothing about. I joke about it now: my short-term memory was so short that it was gone when the sentence was spoken. I sought solutions to handle my pain, which has been quite a journey.
At first, it is just trying to stay straight and get through the day. There is no question of treatments yet because the exertion and stimuli are so strong that this is not possible. In October, I was at my lowest point and admitted to myself that I couldn't do this on my own. On this, I tried medication to reduce the stimuli to a livable level, as well as other possible treatments: kiné, water jugs, electric pillows, massages, sauna and relaxation therapy.
The pain became more bearable and I was able to go to my 2nd course: the pain clinic. With me, this has a very good effect on headache, neck pain and low back pain. Earlier, I could not cope with this because of being too exhausting.
And now for several months, I feel like "I'm doing well". It won't be like before, but I can participate in activities that I and my family find important in a different way. I now look at it this way : does this cost me more energy than it gives me? Then I won't do it. Some activities strengthen me mentally and those are worth a day of recuperation.
I feel like doing things again, I can think about the future again. Here the people of Sepsibel and the Dutch group "Sepsis and beyond" supported me very well, for which I can only be grateful. I no longer felt alone in the world.
I would love to be more a part and committed to the Sepsibel asbl, but my priority is getting stronger and getting back to work.
With warm greetings
Wendy
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