Dee Thomas, a superfit 65-year-old from Perthshire, faced a life-threatening ordeal after a seemingly harmless illness turned out to be a severe sepsis infection. On a hike, she initially felt well enough to take a selfie at the top of a hill. However, while bending down to tie her laces, she suddenly felt unwell.
Initially dismissing the symptoms as fatigue and aches, she went to bed with paracetamol. However, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leaving her with a grayish complexion and fluctuating body temperature. Despite normal vital signs, Dee’s blood tests indicated a rapidly spreading infection, and she was transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for emergency valve replacement surgery.
The speed at which the infection took hold shocked medical professionals. Dee spent a month in the hospital, including time in intensive care and a high dependency ward. Doctors informed her that she had been fortunate to survive, emphasizing the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for concerning symptoms.
Despite her ordeal, Dee’s passion for the outdoors remains undiminished. She is now planning to climb Mount Everest to raise funds for sepsis research and raise awareness about the severity of this potentially life-threatening condition. Sepsis Research FEAT COO Colin Graham highlights the importance of recognizing sepsis symptoms and acting quickly to seek medical assistance to improve chances of survival.
