I Survived Septic Shock, "Broccoli and Apples"

"Broccoli & Apples"


I kept getting up out of bed. I did not know where I was at. I could not lay still. My husband kept telling me he had to work and had a BIG meeting. He knew something was wrong. I laid in the bed all Sunday. Feverish. I found myself in my pantry again lost. Where was I? In the bathroom. Where was I?

Monday came and I was still out of it and feverish. So my hubby gave me tylenol to keep the fever down. But I could not keep my muscles or body still in the bed. He called every hour. I remember the call. Soon my memory was gone. My husband told me he came home from me not answering the phone.He called like 10 times. He said he came home and I was burning up. Took my temp and it was 104.8. Picked me up because I was out. Carried me to the hospital. Which is up the freeway. My memory did not come till about Wednesday. I went into septic shock. I just have snippets.

Septic shock is what happens as a complication of an infection where toxins can initiate a full-body inflammatory response. It often occurs in people who are elderly or have a weakened immune system.

It is thought that the inflammation resulting from sepsis causes tiny blood clots to form, which can block oxygen and nutrients from reaching vital organs. As a result, the organs fail, causing a profound septic shock. This may cause a drop in blood pressure and may result in death. In fact, septic shock is the most common cause of death in intensive care units in the United States (Fitch, et al., 2002).

Doctors have identified three stages of sepsis:

• sepsis, when an infection reaches the bloodstream and causes inflammation throughout the body
• severe sepsis, which occurs when infection disrupts blood flow to the brain orkidneys, leading to organ failure. Blood clots cause gangrene (tissue death) in the arms, legs, fingers, and toes.
• septic shock, when blood pressure drops significantly. This can lead to respiratory, heart, or organ failure and death.

My snippets: Looking up at the Emergency Surgeon in a room with big lights. I know him. We workout at the same gym. Your doing what? (all of this going through my mind but I could not speak) You look like a disney character! Oh centeral line in my chest. Than I have no memory again. Not sure what is up with the disney characters but I kept seeing them everywhere. In my head,when I opened my eyes. Very weird.

The sickness was quick,fast and killing me. I had pneumonia streptococcus,UTI,blood staph infection and I started to go into septic shock. This is not good. They wanted to intubate me. This is really not good either. I have seen far too many people die after this. My mother is one.

Okay, let's fast fast backward. I believe this has some sort of connection with me carrying a blood infection. I really do. The doctors said it was possible. We are carriers for alot of diseases and sometimes they can reveal themselves later. Sometimes not. I had this weird internal rash that use to mentally and physically show up on my thyroid and around my eyes. It would stay for weeks and than go away. Than show up again somewhere else on my body but always I felt it in my eyes. I went to 3 different doctors. Nothing. But I knew it was something. I tried treating it myself with oregano oils and topical supplements. Which helped but it never went away. I carried this for 3 years till my hospital stint. I can tell you now I do not feel it in my body anymore.

I spent 5 days in ICU. I still remember but don't know how I was able to pick up my iPad and ask for prayer. But the prayers for me, gave me strength and my fight kept me alive.

I was pumped full of steroids,12 different antibiotics and many other meds to keep me alive. I am thankful for this. I am thankful for my team of doctors, I am sooo thankful for Danny telling them not to inubate me. And for my husband there everytime I opened my eyes.

Meals I could not stomach and still having problems eating. But when I got a bowl of steamed broccoli it was like the best thing I ever ate in ICU!! I swear I felt better after. When I got my first piece of fruit the apple. It was so juicy and again in love with the new flavor to me.

I am recovering now at home with IV therapy. My husband administers it to me. So I do not have to stay another 3 weeks in a health facility or hospital. I have good days and really tiresome days. I really believe my healthy ways also played a factor in my fight. Bless all of you who prayed for me.

I will be back to my energetic,healthy self soon. One day at a time. God is good!

~Tiffany