"Septic shock"

On a Friday evening about a month ago, I started feeling unwell, hit with sudden fatigue and cold shivers. We'd recently had influenza A in our household and whilst I'd been moderately unwell a week earlier, I myself hadn't tested positive. I spent the rest of the weekend in bed (apart from a torturous drive to kids' sport), unable to do anything except get up for the toilet. My partner was worried and wanted to bring me to Armadale hospital; but I felt that I was ok, as I was drinking copious amounts of water and keeping hydrated (in hindsight this extreme thirst was a red flag). By the Sunday evening I could barely stand and at my partner's insistence my Mum turned up to bring me into hospital. To be honest - I still didn't want to -the thought of sitting in ED for a number of hours was incomprehensible. But I reluctantly agreed.

We were greeted in ED by the amazing triage nurse Fionnuala. I will be forever grateful that after a rapid assessment she brought me straight through and clearly communicated to the staff that I was critically unwell and need to be assessed further immediately. It was quickly established my BP was dangerously low and my heart rate was remarkedly high and the words "cold sepsis" was mentioned within a matter of minutes. I was moved to a resus bay where I was surrounded by a team of nurses and doctors, all working together in a cohesive and efficient manner. A cannula was inserted, blood cultures taken, fluids and antibiotics commenced. An arterial line was expertly inserted to monitor my BP.

A rapid respiratory test was collected -positive for influenza A. Everyone was really kind to me and communicated to me what was happening. (I wish I could remember everyone's names - but my primary nurse was Mona - she was a constant reassuring face). I felt very scared about what was happening to my body, but I was never left alone and I felt in safe hands. Once it became clear that my blood pressure was not holding with the ED medications, a personable ICU Consultant came to talk to me. He calmly explained what was happening and advised me they were waiting for an available ICU bed to be able to give me stronger vasopressors to keep my BP up. Thankfully within a few hours this was able to happen. 

Once in the ICU it was a different vibe, with a one-on-one nurse to look after me. I was blown away by the level of clinical expertise by the ICU staff and in managing all the medications/ infusions/monitors and they were all genuinely lovely nurses and doctor too. (Again, I wish I could remember each nurses' name, but some things remain a blur). The PICC team were amazing and despite being a challenge for them I was grateful for their perseverance and skill to successfully insert a PICC so that I didn't have to endure the pain of the multiple potassium infusions!

One of my nurses shared his own personal sepsis story with me and I really appreciated talking to someone who had gone through a similar experience. I was so incredibly weak and could barely lift my arms, and it was the little things the nurses did, like ensuring I had a wash each shift to feel a little fresher -always done with dignity and mindfulness. I was grateful for my nurse who suggested I watch TV to fall asleep at 4am, when I couldn't close my eyes without scary images being conjured up - thank goodness that finally allowed me to sleep.

I was grateful to the lovely PCA Jodie who made sure to source me a hospital porridge (one of the few foods that wasn't physically painful for me to eat). It's the little things that make a big difference. After 4 nights in ICU I was well enough to be transferred to MAU. It did feel like musical beds as I was moved to three different rooms, but I understood the reasoning for this. I felt for the nurses as it's such a busy ward, but again the nursing staff were very nice and cared for me well. 

The only negative experience was right at the end of my stay, where a doctor (who I just met) came in to give me my discharge script. I had previously asked another doctor about including endone for my shoulders, as I had significant ongoing pain and marked physical restrictions on both sides - I could barely move my arms which meant it was very daunting to go home. I was restricted in that I could no longer have nurofen due to the acute kidney injury that I had experienced through sepsis, and I've not liked the side-effects of other analgesia options.

I was surprised then to see that endone was in fact not included on my script! Upon questioning this I felt I was very bluntly told they can't see my pain so they can't prescribe it to me! They didn't even bother to assess my shoulder pain and lack of functionality on attempted movement. The way the doctor spoke to me was upsetting and felt dismissive. The only other point to note was I was waiting for an inpatient MRI of my shoulders but as this hadn't happened after a few days, I was sent home and advised to get this done as an outpatient. When this was done later that week, the report flagged a potential blood clot in my arm. Thankfully my GP informed me of this, but I was a little surprised I wasn't followed up through the ordering doctor at Armadale in case I hadn't been told?

Four weeks later and it's been a slow journey to recovery, but I feel extremely lucky. Sepsis can kill very quickly and so I'm so very grateful for the team at Armadale Health Service for promptly recognising and treating me and for ultimately saving my life. THANK YOU!!!