Dianne Prisco Burnett

On June 2, 2017, we celebrated my grandson’s graduation. The next day, I collapsed and began my sepsis journey. I had a huge kidney stone which blocked my ureter and also a UTI. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones, Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) My son discovered me 2 days later and I was rushed to the hospital. The doctors began the antibiotics and I was intubated. It was touch and go.

I received 3 dialysis treatments until my kidneys began working again. I don’t remember a lot of what happened. After 3 weeks in the hospital, I went to a rehab facility where I received physical and occupational therapy. My cognitive skills were hampered and I needed to learn how to walk again. I am one of the fortunate ones. I had sepsis and came out of it relatively unscathed. Emotionally, there are scars and if I or a family member or friend is sick, I panic and think it’s sepsis. My energy level is not what it used to be, but that’s okay, I’m still here.

We do things differently now. I have an alarm on my phone to remind me to text my son everyday to let him know I’m okay. I wear a life alert button in case I need emergency help. These are precautionary steps to put our minds at ease.

I don’t know how I survived lying there for 2 days without care, not sure when the sepsis set in. It is so important to get immediate care. I’m hoping that my story will encourage people to check on each other everyday because one never knows what might happen. I was fine and then all of a sudden, I wasn’t. Know the symptoms and don’t be afraid to speak up. Doctors are not infallible. Fortunately, my doctors and nurses knew what to do and I’ll be eternally grateful to them. I thank God and my family for being greatest support to get me through this.