My story with sepsis: Madelynn Fairman

The definition of sepsis was last reviewed in 2001, but modern advancements in medicine have revealed insights into its pathobiology, management and epidemiology, prompting a need for reexamining this definition. As of February 2016, sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction triggered by a dysregulated host response to infection. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and treatment within the first hour can significantly increase the chance of recovery and prevent the debilitating long term impacts following treatment. Madelynn Fairman is an ICU nurse from the Hamilton Health Sciences, who courageously shares her personal journey and road to recovery after sepsis. This video presents one patient’s experience in her life after sepsis and what it means for clinical practitioners, family members and the patient.

A special acknowledgment and warm thank you to Madelynn Fairman for allowing us to interview her and providing her raw, unaltered story with sepsis. Thank you for your desire to give back to the community with your experience.

Video by Zion Lee, Karam Kaur, Brianna Cheng, Lisa Feng and Melisha Perera

Copyright McMaster University 2016

[Cocoritarita]

I also am recovering from sepsis. I was in an induced coma for 40 days with a ventilator and a tracheostomy. I can’t remember much. Your story is so much like my own. I can’t understand why I’m so weak. My brain says I can do things but when I try, I can’t and get so tired. I thank all the doctors, nurses and porters for helping me. I thank God and all my friends for praying for me. I guess it also wasn’t me time. Thank you for your story.

[frugalfrugal]

I had a gangreous appendix with only mild, gas-like pain. I thought I had the flu and just wanted to stay home and sleep. I would have stayed home and slept until I died but my son made me to go to the hospital. He saved my life. But because of the sepsis, I will never be the same. My cognitive function is way below what it should be, as is my ability to handle stress. The fatigue is crushing and my liver and kidneys and lungs and heart are damaged. I'm only 54 but felt like I was still only 35, but now I feel like I'm in my 90's. I had a wonderful ministry in veterinary medicine, animal nursing and the human animal bond and service dog training and I miss my old life so much, it breaks my heart to not be able to help people and their animals anymore. I really hope you get your full life back again. You deserve so much more. Thank God for your family. Be blessed.

[ritasmith]

Thank you for sharing your story. I have been through septic shock twice and it has changed my whole world. I don't feel so alone listening to you. May God bless you and heal you.

[N-qe]

I will never forget almost dieing of a Staphylococcus skin infection on my leg at 25... it was the scariest time of my life. I was so close to passing away at one point I actually accepted that I was going to die and made peace with a lot of people. I am so greatful beyond words to have a second chance at life.

[LetterMgmt]

Wow I’m so glad I found this. This description is so much better than any “symptoms” I read online

[vernitacurtin]

I too had sepsis It almost killed me I was a STNA at that time Thought I had a bad back ache from working As a STNA I was on my feet 3p-3a 6 days a week No I had kidney stones that is what initially started my journey to sepsis & sepsis shock I was in 3 hospitals for almost a yr So much has happened to my body as my mind More people need educated on sepsis It is awful My life has now changed forever I am 1 in 15, 000 to survive the severity of sepsis I had I am so lucky to be alive The Dr's & all the medical personal who were on my team worked so hard for me Never know how thankful I am I no longer take life for granted

[may]

I survived septic shock from pneumonia and uti. My blood pressure dropped so low I needed IV medicine to bring it up. I had 7 bags of fluid. My kidneys and liver failed. A young nurse in her twenties diagnosed and saved my life. The docs wasted time, she sprung into action. She’s an Angel. I fought. I had to do my own chest PT leaning and banging against the hospital threshold in my hospital room. I recovered. This was in December 2016. I almost had 2 relapses with sepsis but I insisted that I had a uti but they kept saying it was negative but the test they sent out showed a triple uti. While I waited for the results I kept checking my heart rate( often a first sign) also my temp and blood oxygen level. Those held on until I got 2 rounds of antibiotics. So glad you survived. Stay strong. You’re right. Leave it behind. Move forward. Bless you. 🙏🌟

[triestastone]

My liver and kidneys were shut down days before medical intervention. I'm still fighting to get disability. No drs in my area recognize post septic shock syndrome. I hv nonalcoholic cirrhosis atrophied kidney chronic kidney failure disease ptsd depression anxiety I'm a shell of my former self. I so hope w all the new information we can get help 4:45

[lisakaylanemorris]

48 yo healthy besides some osteoarthritis.. then got sepsis after a surgery for a kidney stone. 2.2 years out.. age 50 now mostly house bound, difficult breathing, migraines, muscles twitching, cramping and unstable heart rate and blood pressure.
No more dancing, swimming, concerts, shopping trips, hiking... was I depressed before sepsis? no.. am I depressed now.. you better believe it. but I have hope still some how that I will keep slowly improving.

[bernieevans]

I got Sepsis 2018, just woke up and felt my left leg so so sore. I rang my brother and explained to him, he just said on my way.

He came with an Ambulance behind him, he said I was not making any sense on phone.

Got too entrance and I was gone.

In hosp for just a year, had to be taught too walk again.
In a coma most of the time.

Ended being transfered too a Nursing Home and this is my home now.
I need help doing things and am on alot of medication.
Alot of things went wrong with my body.

Im grateful that im alive and being well cared for.

[marylouoliver]

I am also an RN and was diagnosed with septic shock. Like you I heard them say my blood pressure was bottoming out, and I like you was out of it. I do not recall much of what I went thru either. I had central lines and spent 5 days in ICU but is taking far longer to recover. Glad your still here, god bless!

[michaelmoore]

From Michael in Toronto
Thanks so much Madelynn!! Your story deeply inspired me because I have been scared of Sepsis!!! I am amazed that you survived getting Sepsis twice!! I am sure knowing a little bit about you that you will keep getting better.
There was a Madeline in our family that I never really knew that well. Knowing what you survived gives me comfort that I will survive what in the Christian circles call the "dark night of the soul." I hope if I ever have ill health like yours that family and friends will make time to be with me in my hour of need.
Thanks Madelynn so much for sharing your story. You're a great encouragement!! This Canadian Senior citizen thanks you so very much for all that you shared because I will not feel so uncomfortable asking for help in the bathroom if I ever need it! You, Madelynn are totally awesome and you are the

[barbaraellis]

Thank you for sharing. I thought I had a stomach virus. If my husband had not gotten a nudge from God at 10am while he was sitting at his desk at work and come home, I would not be here. I was sick at home for 2 1/2 days. I had a near death experience that was wonderful. I was also an RN. But as many have shared, the fatigue some days is overwhelming. Both of my utterers were blocked with kidney stones, had infection in urine and it caused the sepsis.

[sylviaornelas]

You are such a beautiful person and you are so blessed.

[AmyAndThePup]

I had a friend who died this week... Heart and lungs were involved. Severe. It was awful. I wish they could have helped, but there was already so much going on with other health problems. It was just too much.
I pray you get to be stronger and more able to do things for yourself. Thank you for sharing your story.

[susangartman]

I had a case of sepsis and didnot know what was going on. I don't remember much of what went on. Crazy.

[msameg]

Hello my dear friend I was just in PMMC for 2 months with sepsis, ina a coma almost lost my leg, god bless u I am so happy ur still alive I’m home trying to get on with life god bless us all my dear

[leirobinson]

I am also a nurse survivor of Sepsis. I stayed in the ICU for 4 days. My O2 says we’re in The 80s. I could not believe it. I threw up all over the place in a Doctors office, and my B/P was very low. I’ve been home for a month. I’m doing PT. I’m very weak, but I’m climbing stairs! Thank you for sharing your story! It really touched me! Be well❤️

[tasha]

thank you for sharing your story. my mum is currently in the ICU battling severe sepsis and peritonitis after her bowel perforated (resulting in her needing emergency surgery) ...i don’t know if she’s going to survive because she’s in a really bad way but seeing this video gave me a little hope 🙏🏻❤️ wishing you all the best

[garciedarling]

Madelynn, so glad that you made it. I too am a retired RN who was diagnosed with septic shock Feb 27, 2015...5 days in icu, 11 days total in hospital..1 1/2 yr later sepsis again.Both times from un diagnosed uti.I was so fortunate to have had exellent medical care, early recognition of sepsis and treatment. It does take a long time to recover..I still have a lot of problems from it...especially memory problems and some ptsd from icu...am so grateful to be here and to have come out relatively un-scathed....thanks for sharing your story..