A 46-year-old woman from Ebbw Vale has shared how what appeared to be a routine infection rapidly developed into sepsis and left her fighting for her life in Intensive Care.
Rachel, who was fit, active and rarely unwell, worked long 12-hour shifts as a support worker and enjoyed a busy family life with her husband, Tim, their three sons aged 25, 23 and 19, and 20-year-old daughter.
Her story is being shared as part of Sepsis Awareness Month to highlight how quickly the condition can develop and the importance of recognising the signs.
In June, Rachel began feeling unwell after spending a few days in Chester.
“I’d been away in Chester for a few days and started feeling unwell with puffy eyes and what felt like a sinus headache,” said Rachel.
“After I got home, I went to see my GP and was treated for a sinus infection with antibiotics.”
However, Rachel became increasingly unwell over the course of the weekend. She developed a temperature, became confused and suffered a seizure at home.
Realising something was seriously wrong, her husband took her straight to The Grange University Hospital.
Staff in the Emergency Department quickly recognised that Rachel was seriously unwell.
“On arriving at the hospital, I fainted. They quickly checked my observations, took blood tests, started intravenous fluids and gave me antibiotics. Everything was a blur. I remember being told I was scoring 10 on the warning score alerting high risk of sepsis. I’d heard of sepsis but didn’t really know what it was.”
Doctors later explained to Rachel’s husband that getting her to hospital quickly had been vital.
“They told him that if he hadn’t brought me in when he did, it could have been a very different story.”
Despite the efforts of multiple specialist teams, Rachel’s condition continued to deteriorate and she was eventually transferred to Intensive Care.
On 15 June, she was placed in an induced coma.
“My family were called in to say goodnight before I went to sleep. It was a very frightening time.”
Rachel and her family were supported by the Intensive Care team throughout her stay.
“The staff were incredible. They explained everything to my family, answered all their questions and supported them throughout.
“I honestly can’t speak highly enough of the people who cared for me. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Treatment began to work and Rachel was brought out of the coma on 22 June.
“I woke up confused. I’d been hallucinating and didn’t know where I was. I genuinely thought I’d been kidnapped.”
Rachel is now back home, but her recovery is continuing.
“I still have brain fog and my mobility isn’t great. I struggle to stand, I need crutches to walk and I’m having physiotherapy. It’s frustrating because I’ve always been active and I’ve always been the person looking after everyone else.”
Rachel said the experience had also been particularly difficult for her family, including her eldest son, who is autistic.
“My husband and four children have all been amazing. I’m especially close to my daughter, and she’s been a huge source of support. My eldest son, who is autistic, found it a really challenging time. Since coming home, he has insisted on making me Weetabix every morning because that’s what I had for breakfast in hospital. It’s his way of looking after me.”
Rachel is now encouraging others to learn the signs of sepsis and seek medical help if they are concerned.
“I’d never heard of sepsis and I didn’t know what symptoms to look out for.
“If my husband hadn’t recognised how poorly I was and taken me to hospital when he did, and if it wasn’t for the exceptional care I received, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms can include slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness, feeling like you are going to die, and mottled or discoloured skin.
People who have symptoms of a serious infection or are becoming rapidly more unwell should seek urgent medical help immediately.
Throughout Sepsis Awareness Month, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is encouraging people to learn the signs of sepsis and seek urgent medical help if they are concerned, as early recognition and treatment can save lives.
