Michael MN.

I am a man of s64 years of age now. Generally speaking I am well, was very lucky health wise, all throughout my life. Never had been an inpatient in the hospital. Enjoyed been physically active for years, trying out a variety of physical pursuits, from kick boxing, to weight training , swimming, running, all of which I enjoyed for the most part.

Trying my best to live a healthy lifestyle, but not always succeeding. Looking to eat well, alcohol in moderation.

At home, on some days off from work, I noticed a burning sensation when I urinated. Thinking nothing of it. Believing it was most probably due to an imbalance in my food intake, something I was sure I would be able to sort out, without too much issue, and it would soon pass. The burning upon urination continued for a day or so, and was making a trip to the bathroom, not one I was looking forward to.

The next morning I rang my local medical practice for a phone appointment, as I was not feeling well enough to go to the surgery. When I had not had any contact from the surgery by the end of the day, I phoned them again, and was put through to a doctor, whom I had never met, explained my symptoms and was put on a course of antibiotics, for a diagnosed UTI. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections)

I knew women could get a UTI, but was unaware so could a man. The course of antibiotics was to last six days. During that week I was feeling progressively much worse. But I had faith in the antibiotics and the doctor. I was becoming weaker. The struggle to stay of my feet to walk to the bathroom was enormous. The effort it took to go downstairs to retrieve some much needed bottles of water, and back upstairs again, was like a journey to hell and back. Grasping onto the walls for support, and encouraging myself verbally that I could make it back to my bedroom.

I had little sleep for the remainder of that week, and no appetite whatsoever. Toward the end of the week I was having issues urinating at all. What did exit from the urinary channel, was more akin to mucky clumps of red congealed, God knows what. A close relative said I needed to go to a hospital, and they would call an ambulance, which I refused. Don’t know why I refused, as I learned when I did land up in the hospital, they are some of the nicest people, doctors and nurses that I had ever met. I think I initially refused the ambulance been called and hospitalization was that I was somehow unsure if I would ever make it out of hospital again.

A long term ex-girlfriend, and now friend, was contacted, and after been filled in on the details by my close relatives, she phoned my number absolutely insisted that I had to have the ambulance called, and go to the hospital. I could tell by the tone in her voice, and her very serious attitude, she was not messing about. So I relented. An ambulance was called, and one ambulance, and one ambulance car, vehicles arrived at the house and out tumbled five paramedics, including two Advanced Medical Paramedics.

My stomach by this stage was swollen, I was feeling very unwell, and weak. They brought me from the upstairs landing out to the ambulance by wheelchair. In the back of the ambulance I was given Ketamine among other drugs. In what seemed like an absolute eternity on the short journey, we eventually reached the Accident and Emergency Dept of the local hospital.

Just like in the movies, I was lying on the wheeled stretcher watching the ceiling lights overhead as I was wheeled into a cubicle.
There many blood tests were taken, various doctors had very many questions, when all I wanted to do was sleep. I was admitted that evening and was sent to the urology ward, where I stayed for two months.

My issues began with a UTI, complicated by an enlarged prostate, which I was unaware of, and had never heard of. Stretched bladder, which would not function, which led to urinary retention and back pressure on the kidneys, hydronephrosis and diuresis
Somewhere along the line I contracted urosepsis, whether that happened at the initial stages or in the hospital, I do not know. So my issues were many and complicated. At one stage I was offered the services of a priest (never a good sign!) which I refused.
Nephrostomies were inserted in my back in both kidneys, to deal with urination. I have been back as an inpatient in hospital four times this year after my initial admittance because of infections, mainly to do with the kidneys.

The main issue I had after discharge was a feeling of ‘deja vu’, delirium type symptoms, which took some while to disappear, and flashbacks, and relieving those times, over and over again, near enough on a daily basis. Which I still do to this day.
Reading others stories here I see how very lucky I am to got away so lightly having survived (uro) sepsis, and my other issues. I now have a supra pubic catheter (SPC), which is much easier to manage, and feel more normal as a result.

Aside from that I am lucky enough to have near enough fully recovered, back to swimming, running, tennis and eyeing up the pretty ladies I see. So life is good, and long may it last !