Mary Millard

I am an acute septic shock survivor. I was admitted to have an aortic aneurysm repaired and an aortic valve replacement. Before the surgery I coded and was placed on ECMO. This is a system of life support and very invasive. I subsequently had the surgery and in stepdown my husband found me hot to the touch and talking in a confused manor. (Sepsis and Surgery) By the time nurses got to me my heart rate escalated and my blood pressure fell to 65/33. By the time I was brought back to the ICU, my husband was told I was going to die.

I survived and live with a chronic hospital infection with a bug called Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Septic shock has left my left foot numb, tingling fingers, and cognitive issues. (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome) If only it had been found earlier I may have had a better end result and not resulted in another month in the hospital. I now speak publicly to raise awareness of a horrible circumstance that can be recognized.