septic shock?!
Question:
my sister who is diabectic and had two heart attacks came down with septic shock 8 months ago she was not suppoed to survive but she did , she had to learn to eat walk and talk all over again she now has so many problem with her breathing now copd sometimes I wonder if she will be able to survive any one else out there who have survive who can talk to me
Answers:
Physician here:
Septic shock is a condition where the body is "overwhelmed" with bacterial toxins. The vessels in the body become "lose" and blood pressure drops. That is why physicians use "pressors" which medically raise BP. Blood perfusion (which gives our tissues oxygen) is compromised and can lead to muti-organ failure.
It takes time to get over, especially in people with diabetes. Diabetics have a compromised immune system.meaning that they can get infections easier and it takes longer for them to get rid of them. Many patients will recover, but it takes time. It also depends on how much your sister went through. Not knowing her other comorbities, it is quite hard to determine. Be patient with her. Her body has dealt with A LOT.
Other Answers:
Survival following so severe a series of challenges is an iffy thing. You'll find not many who are in your sister's present state are really capable of discussing it in detail. Personal experience, maybe - but how much help would that be when it's not unusual for a person going through this to experience numerous blank spaces in their memories from the start of the series of challenging events.
Your sister is likely to remain an invalid for some time to come. The hope is that physical, occupational and emotional therapy will enable her to live a comfortable and meaningful life. Just how one defines those two terms - comfortable and meaningful - is a major consideration. If one trying to cope with such physical challenges is intent upon a life spent skiing the world's resorts from Switzerland to New Zealand, one is probably going to be disappointed. If one can find meaning and pleasure in crochetting baby afgans to donate to the local women's shelter, one may well find life is very much worth living.
Your sister will have to learn to live within her limits. Easy to say, but very hard to achieve. There are resources that can help; talk to a social worker who can point her to folks qualified to offer said help, but start with her current health care team. They may be able to get her a referral faster.
And how about you? This obviously is having an impact on you, and you need to take care of yourself.it's hard to be effective at helping when you also need help. Diabetes tends to run in families; are you getting tested regularly? How about the rest of the family, including kids, grandkids and cousins? And, although it is very hard for some of us to deal with, all the adults in the family need to make preparations for the inevitable end. Theirs as well as your sister's.good luck. You're facing a sobering and unwelcome set of challenges. Keep on keeping on!
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