Jamie M.

Hi, my name is Jamie M. I’m a 40-year-old mother of two elementary-aged boys and I’m a sepsis survivor. I grew up in the northeast U.S. playing field hockey and snowboarding. After a move to Florida for college, I obtained my degree and met my soulmate. We married shortly after graduation and enjoyed traveling together and working in our chosen fields. When we had our first child, I left my career to work from home as a seamstress. I ran a very successful business for many years, assisting neighbors with alterations, repairs, and custom projects. Sewing was a fantastic creative outlet and I really enjoyed meeting new people and helping.

In my free time, I served on the board of a citizen-led organization to preserve rapidly diminishing rural lands in our county. As our kids grew, practicing baseball, hiking, camping, and fishing became frequent activities. In October 2022, a family decision was made to leave Florida and to relocate to the mountains in north Georgia. Six months after relocating, on a Thursday in April 2023, I felt extreme weakness and body aches as I finished my shift at a retail store. I assumed it was a flu. On Friday, chills and sweats set in. On Saturday, I noticed my output diminishing despite increased hydration and I just thought my body was sweating it all out.

On Sunday night, extreme abdominal pain sent me to the ER. Within an hour, I suffered respiratory failure. I coded 3 times on Monday as my organs shut down from septic shock. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) Doctors knew I had abdominal pain and immediately brought me to the operating room to explore and investigate the source of my pain and infection. They discovered my uterus and ovaries were necrotic and performed a hysterectomy. Afterwards, my condition worsened and a streptococcus bacteria was identified. The source of this infection is still unknown and I was later told the particular bacteria is notorious for shutting down organs and likely caused the necrotic uterus. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections)

After the hysterectomy, I spent two weeks in a coma with unstable vitals. To raise my blood pressure, vasopressors were administered which caused gangrene in all four limbs and burns, and skin loss throughout my body. I was given a 2% chance of survival. I spent the month of May in a coma and all four limbs were amputated: my left leg with my right hand and a week later, my right leg with left hand. (Sepsis and Amputations) I recall briefly regaining consciousness and seeing my black left hand between surgeries. While unconscious, family spoke to me and often played uplifting music for me.

I had a very powerful spiritual experience which was both comforting and reassuring. Although what was happening to my body was unclear at the time, I wanted to live and I was prepared to fight. In June, vitals stabilized and I gained consciousness. I immediately began preparing for the long road ahead. Within days my kidneys returned to their full function and I was removed from dialysis. Shortly thereafter, I began breathing room air along side my tracheotomy. Around a week later, the feeding tube was removed and I resumed eating solid foods. During this time I underwent hours of daily wound care and weekly operations to skin graft and swap wound vacs.

While conscious, I rarely felt pain and only requested medication during wound care. The nurses and I would pick a different artist each day and would listen to music during wound care. I was discharged from the hospital in August and spent 8 weeks in a rehab facility. While there, I received 3 hours daily of physical and occupational therapy. I practiced doing my own makeup and feeding myself with a fork. I welcomed opportunities to spend time with others and to learn about their journey. I started each day with inspiring music and was determined to bring joy to those around me.

I firmly believe that we rise by lifting others and this was my Mantra during my recovery. I also received many cards from friends and family which was encouraging. In October I graduated from the rehab facility and returned home. There were many challenges in the following months. There were times I cried over things that were lost and things that will never be again. But I never let myself stay in sadness. I choose to focus on the challenges I need to overcome and to forge ahead. I plan to get Prosthetics and am using this time to adjust to life with my amputated limbs. With every new task I accomplish, I am going to love my new body. Now, I make videos to bring friends and family along on my recovery journey and to show other amputees what is possible with patience and determination.

 

http://www.youtube.com/@SuchJoyAmputee