Maria Fleming

In 2000, I was diagnosed with septicemia. I had been sick for several weeks. I felt as if I had the flu and was having extreme pain on my right side. I went to see my GP a couple of times without any real diagnosis. I went to the emergency room where they performed an MRI and found a blood clot in my right ovarian vein. I was immediately admitted into the hospital and began an IV treatment of antibiotics.

I could have died from the deep vein thrombosis alone but the infection had gotten into my blood system and became septic. I was very lucky to have listened to my body and taken action on my own. The infection came back time and again. I was given antibiotics every time. I finally had laparotomy several years later. I still have the right loin pain and suffer from pain caused by fibromyalgia and endometriosis. My quality of life is good and I’m still here able to share my story.