Jennifer Fitch

I went in for a routine endometrial ablation, expecting about a week of downtime before getting back to my normal life. But three days after the procedure, I started feeling what I thought was the flu. My temperature spiked to 103.6°F, and I couldn’t keep anything down. Concerned, I called my doctor’s office, and they advised me to go to the ER to rule out any infection from the procedure. (Sepsis and Surgery)

That Sunday, I arrived at the ER, completely unaware of what the next week had in store for me. I was soon transported to the hospital where the original procedure had been done and was immediately hooked up to multiple IVs. Despite everything, I remained coherent and was even joking with the staff. But the reality was far more serious than I realized.

For about three to four days, I have no memory of what happened, and I had no idea just how sick I was. Eventually, doctors determined that I needed an emergency hysterectomy—at just 35 years old. That surgery saved my life.

Though I survived, I now face lasting complications from sepsis, which doctors say will likely affect me for the rest of my life. What I thought would be a simple, routine procedure turned into a life-altering experience.