A GRAN’S hands and feet went black and had to be amputated after what was suspected to be a UTI turned out to be sepsis.
Kim Smith was on holiday in Spain when she began feeling pain in her sides.
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The former hairdresser from Milton Keynes was away with her family when she was taken ill.
The 60-year-old began to feel intense chills on November 28, 2017, and couldn’t seem to get warm, despite running a fever.
Kim went to the emergency department at 4am, confused and struggling for breath.
The diagnosis of severe sepsis, which doctors initially thought was due to a UTI turning into kidney infection, was made. Kim was placed in a coma.
Kim remained in Spain for weeks with her family growing increasingly concerned.
Kim was finally released by her daughter after she arranged for an air ambulance.
Kim woke up to find her limbs had turned black and she was dead. Doctors advised her that they be removed.
The gran is happy to be able to style her hair again, three years later.
She remembered the days after the operation, saying: “I was more upset afterwards, when I couldn’t style my hair like usual.
“My hair was always my crowning jewel, and that upset me more than my legs and hands. I am a hairdresser.
“I spent three months in Bedford Hospital, then I was moved to a hospital in Roehampton in London for rehab, where I spent twelve weeks.
“They taught me how to move, how to transfer from my wheelchair to my bed – everything. They were amazing and gave me a lot of emotional support as well.”
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She now uses her free time to volunteer for the Sepsis Trust UK, where she talks about her experience with sepsis, and has even set up a support group in Milton Keynes for other survivors.
Kim said: “I still live a good life. I’ve just been down to Devon to do an activity weekend with other amputees.
“I’ve done rock climbing, zip wires, canoeing and archery. I’ve even done a skydive.
“I think that maybe my life is even better now. It doesn’t stop me from doing things – in fact, I’ve probably done more now.
“It’s made me realise that life is short, and you have to live it to its fullest. I enjoy every day.
“I enjoy the fact that I can talk to people and answer questions about sepsis.”
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Sepsis is the primary cause of death from infection around the world, claiming around 40,000 lives in the UK each year.
An infection is the main trigger of this condition. It is not contagious.
It is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person. The body’s immune system, which is the body’s defense mechanism, overreacts, and it attacks the body.
This can cause organ failure or septic shock that can be fatal.
You should not ignore signs of sepsis.
If you, a loved one, or in the case of medical professionals their patient, feels “severely sick”, doesn’t appear to be themselves and shows any of the following symptoms, sepsis should be suspected:
- weakness
- loss of appetite
- fever and chills
- thirst
- difficult or rapid breathing
- rapid heart rate
- low blood pressure
- low urine output
If a person is suffering these symptoms and they are thought to have suffered an infection – pneumonia, abdominal infection, urinary infection, or a wound – sepsis is a likely cause.
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