My story

[Hikingman]

Hi, it all started by going into hospital for day surgery for Hemorrhoids. Within 36 hours my wife had taken me back to A & E with a high heart rate and low blood pressure. I was also in a lot of pain, which I put down to the surgery for Hemorrhoids. I was soon in majors and within a few hours I was put into a coma. Two weeks later I was woken up and found out I had contracted Sepsis, advance step A and Fournier Gangrene. While I was in a coma I had four operations 3 debridement operations where they removed the infected gangrene areas to stop it spreading further and given a Stoma on the fourth operation. I was then told about the extent of my injuries and I would be sent to another hospital for reconstruction surgery of my penis and scrotum. To top it all off, the day after reconstruction surgery I collapsed with a large clot on my lungs and was then blue lighted to another hospital which was better equipped to manage the clot. After 6 weeks I was finally discharged and allowed home. I’m now back at work and getting out on hikes again, though a bit slower and a few more rest stops. I’m guessing it’s going to be a long road to fully recover from the injuries and probably longer for the mental side of things to adjust to the body I have now.

[Copse77]

You have been through a traumatic and shocking experience. It’s remarkable that you have got back to where you have with fitness. There is an ICU group for patients and families who have been through this experience. I think Sepsur or Rhyl will post details for you. You may find it helpful.

[Rhyl1 Partner Moderator ICUsteps]

As Copse77 says you have had a really rough time. If you would like to talk to other ICU patients to help you cope with the experience there’s a support group on zoom every Thursday evening. Have a look at cc-sn.org/drop-in-meetings for the details. There’s information out there on the ICUsteps website at icusteps.org/home/patients. There are also local ICUsteps support groups meeting face to face. You can check if you have one in your area at icusteps.org/support/suppor....

[Sepsur]

Good luck with your progress - it does take time. There are plenty of support groups out there - ECMO support, ICUsteps & cc-sn.org - which also offer rehab session