CARLA TALBOT
A young woman who survived sepsis twice has urged people to be aware of the signs of the deadly infection after it almost killed her.
Nicola Murray, 21, was left vomiting blood and facing a number of horrific symptoms while her body fought the disease twice in just 14 months.
She was left in intensive care and feared she may die after contracting the blood infection for a second time.
Nicola, from Bishopton, says she feels lucky to be alive but is urging people to make sure they know the symptoms of sepsis as it could save a life.
Her plea comes as part of Sepsis Awareness Month, which takes place throughout September.
She said: “Make yourself and your family and friends aware.
“It could be you next, or someone you care for deeply.
“Knowledge and awareness can save lives.”
Nicola put her symptoms down to the flu, but following a trip to the doctor she was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with both pneumonia and sepsis.
This was the second time in just over a year she faced the harrowing illness – having previously spent four days in hospital fighting sepsis when she was 19.
Over the course of the next week, Nicola fought sepsis – which is known as the silent killer – while doctors battled to save her.
Her mum and gran waited by her side each day, desperately hoping the antibiotics would work.
After more than a week in intensive care, nursery practitioner Nicola was finally allowed to go home.
She said: “I was feeling unwell and had a bit of a cough but over the next couple of days my symptoms got worse.
“I was very breathless and I couldn’t get my temperature to lower. My mum noticed my eyes were bloodshot.
“When I went to the doctor they told me I had to go to the hospital immediately.
“The next few days are a bit of a blur with doctors and nurses all doing tests.
“Over five days I had five different antibiotics to see if any of them would work.
“My body was struggling to fight the pneumonia as it was also being attacked by sepsis and I knew it was shutting down.
“I had no control over my bodily functions, my temperature was still spiking and my oxygen dropped so low I was nearly in a coma.
“My body was covered in bruises and then my veins started collapsing.
“I was being sick but it was blood that was coming up.
“I actually thought I might be dying but my mum told my I had to be strong and fight it.
“My concept of time was lost, so I had no idea of how long I had been in hospital or what day it was.”
Thankfully, after five different medications and a number of setbacks, Nicola began fighting the infection.
Having spent eight days in intensive care, she was told she was stable enough to go home.
However, while she is on the road to recovery after four weeks at home, she is still struggling with the physical and mental aftermath.
She now intends to help others with sepsis by becoming a volunteer with Sepsis Research.
Nicola added: “I am obviously delighted that I have again survived sepsis, making it twice in 14 months.
“I have been told I was about 24 hours from not surviving.
“This sticks in your mind and can affect you mentally.
“I have been left with liver damage and I am too scared to leave the house in case I catch another virus and my immune system will go into overdrive.
“I understand how, in the blink of an eye, your life can change due to illness.
“Your priorities are forced to take different turns.
“You are very grateful for the little things in life and you leave behind the history of yesterday and focus on today.”
Sepsis kills an estimated 52,000 people in the UK, of whom more than 4,000 are in Scotland annually.
More people die from sepsis than the combined figure for breast cancer and bowel cancer.
Many victims who survive lose limbs.
Sepsis Research (FEAT), based in Scotland, is the only UK charity dedicated to raising funds to raise awareness, to help improve diagnosis and medical care.
The organisation was founded by Craig Stobo in memory of his wife, Dr Fiona Agnew, and their unborn daughter, Isla, who died from sepsis in 2012.
For more information, visit Sepisresearch.org.uk