In November 2016 I started to feel ill. I had no energy, and was projectile vomiting on a daily basis. I've had type 1 diabetes since 1974, and my blood sugars were becoming uncontrollable. I struggled to keep anything down including fluids. We were phoning our GP almost daily only to be told I had a virus and drink plenty fluids.
I started having hallucinations and couldn't control my speech, but despite still constantly phoning my GP I still was unable to get an appointment, nd was still being told it was 'a virus that was going round'.
By mid December my legs from knees down were very weak. I had 4 bad falls in 5 days, and started to develop an itchy black rash on my legs.
I finally got a GP appointment and thought I'd get sorted, so apart from my weak legs, I showed him the rash nd about the vomiting. Again I was told it was a virus. He ignored this but referred me to an orthopedic surgeon to check out my legs.
By now my left foot had dropped. I got myself a walking aid but had to be pushed about in it as my legs weren't strong enough to walk.
I was referred to a nerve specialist who found I had damage to my hands and leg. By now I couldn't use my hands to even fasten a button. He advised that I wear orthopedic boots to support my ankles and legs. These helped for a short while.
I was still vomiting on a daily basis and struggling to do simple day to day things.
We were still constantly phoning GP, bit still unable to get an appointment, and still being told it was'a virus.
Finally on 1st march 2017, my son dialled 999. I was hallucinating and delerious, I didn't know who or where I was, didn't know what day it was or the time of day.
I was rushed into A&E by ambulance. My temperature was taken 39.7, yet I was so cold. Drips were put in as I was dehydrated, blood tests and gasses, and a catheter inserted. A C.T. scan was booked but I was too ill to have it done. I was taken to critical care for a while, and finally had an emergency C.T. scan at 10pm that night before being taken to a ward.
The bloods taken earlier showed that every inflammation markers used to diagnose sepsis were off the scale, and the C.T. scan showed that the infection had taken hold in my right kidney, caused by an untreated urinary tract infection.
6am the next morning I had some sort of fit. Doctors were called. I don't know what caused it, but a doctor told me later that I'd had the staff 'extremely worried'.
My hands by now had turned black. 1 nurse asked if I'd been fighting. Turns out, that like my legs, it was a sign of septicemia.
I've since been told I'd had stage 3 sepsis, (before this I'd never even heard of sepsis), and if I'd have waited just 2 days more to get treatment, I wouldn't have made it.
It's just over a year on and having sepsis had been life-changing.
I no longer have my independence, so many things I can't do for myself, and I'm in constant pain from the damage the septicemia caused.
Mostly I miss not getting out and about on my own.
I can manage a few steps indoors if I have something to lean onto, I have a wheelchair for outdoors but have to rely on having someone to wheel me about.
I've always been an independent woman, and never relied on anyone for anything. Even now I find it hard to ask for help with anything but I'm starting to learn to ask for help if I need it.

I'm trying to get some sort of independence back for myself. I need help to raise funds for a small fold up mobility scooter or fold up electric wheelchair so I can get out and about on my own, but fold it up to fit in the boot of a car if anyone offers to take me out for e.g. shopping etc.
I would finally be able to get some part of my life back without relying on others. I am missing out on so much, and sit on my bed for 95% of my time.
Thanks in advance to anyone who helps.