Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection spirals out of control, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and, in severe cases, death. Despite its critical nature, sepsis remains under-recognized and misunderstood, making awareness and education vital. Prompt recognition and timely treatment are essential for improving outcomes, yet many people are unaware of this medical emergency's symptoms or risk factors. By increasing awareness, we can empower individuals to seek immediate medical attention and ultimately save lives.
My journey started the fall semester of 2023 around early November. My nose was unfortunately broken in an accident. Not knowing any better I did not take proper care of my injury. Combined with the fact that I fell victim to the seasonal influenza virus and strep throat I began to feel ill. Starting the week before Thanksgiving I came home from school and proceeded to go to the urgent care by my house in Coventry, RI. I learned I had the flu at the urgent care and was sent home for rest. The following day I had a 104-degree fever and was terribly sick. An ambulance was called to my house and I was transported to Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI. Once I arrived at the hospital my bloodwork was taken and I was mistakenly released the same day. On the day before Thanksgiving, I was rushed back to Kent Hospital and proceeded to have multiple tests done including a spinal tap to figure out what was wrong with me.
Around this time, I became hallucinogenic and delusional. Following this I was in a comatose state until Sunday afternoon when I woke up at Brigham Hospital in Boston. During this time the doctors still could not find out what was wrong with me as sepsis is incredibly uncommon especially in college aged adults. At this time my mother fortunately got into contact with Tara Cirella through a mutual family friend. Tara urged my mom to have them test me for sepsis as her daughter unfortunately passed away from the infection in 2017 causing great sorrow and awareness. I was transferred on the Friday after Thanksgiving and the doctors were able to get me stable over the weekend when I woke up on Sunday.
In total, I was in the ICU for 9 days and the hospital for three weeks getting released on December 8th, 2023. Following the ICU due to the adverse side effects of going septic, I had to receive two major surgeries within a week of each other including my right knee and left shoulder surgery. The surgeries were needed because of the buildup of infected blood in my joints that if not removed the appenditure was going to be amputated. The recovery was awful as I was unable to walk until christmas and was in physical therapy for months, along with the antibiotics and countless doctor appointments.
Luckily there were no major long-term effects on my health and I am extremely grateful and lucky to be alive. Without Tara Cirella and the Gi Strong Memorial Fund, I would not be alive today.
~Nate Thiboutot
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