This World Sepsis Day, I need to know: Can a multiple sepsis survivor return to work?
To answer this question, I enlisted a multiple sepsis survivor- myself– to perform this case study.
The Study
I didn’t just wake up 1 day & decided I’ll give this a go. I’ve been trying to return to work for 2 years.
I’m the 1st Indigenous Patient Partner to graduate from the Sepsis Canada LIFTING Training Program Class of 2024. Since then, I’ve been a co-author on 3 scientific journals, 2 protocols & 1 Priority Setting Partnership on the Top 10 Sepsis Research Questions.
I am also on the:
- Sepsis Canada Patient Advisory Council
- UBC Action on Sepsis Research Cluster
- Canadian National Sepsis Action Plan
- CCCTG Patient Partner and Indigenous Guidance Circle
- Can-SOLVE CKD Indigenous Peoples Engagement Research Council (IPERC)
BTW, there are a lot of acronyms in medicine.
I was hoping this would turn into a full-time position, but it didn’t, so I’m going back to school for upskilling.
Background
In my job search over the last couple of years, it became apparent that a 15-year gap was a lot to overcome. I’ve had sepsis in 2011, 2013, & 2019.
I had a minute where there was an opportunity to become a Rock Star, but COVID-19 killed that dream; plus, I had another sepsis event in 2019.
Back to the real world I went. How do I go from being on CPP Disability to becoming gainfully employed? I’m literally putting 1 foot in front of the other.
The Recovery Trajectory is Rarely Smooth
I started this year having lost 30lbs in 6 weeks due to severe epigastric pain. I could not eat anything but Boost & soup. My Husband & I held on to each other, crying. He could see me physically withering away again & it terrified him.
I, on the other hand, felt like this wasn’t going to take me out. I was positive I had chronic pancreatitis. My gallbladder was removed in 2013. 3 months later, I had sludge in my common bile duct that subsequently poisoned my liver. Ever since then, I’ve had these epigastric flares, but nothing that was this intense.
However, the tests disagreed. My amylase & lipase were normal, and nothing appeared on ultrasound or CT. It hurt so bad, I was playing games on 2 different tablets while binging shows just to distract myself from the pain I could not escape.
The muscle wasting was INCREDIBLE! I remember looking at myself in the mirror. My posterior was a pancake, and I could fly with the amount of skin hanging from my arms.
With a Little Help From My Community
Then, I had 2 conferences in May. The 1st was in Quebec City. It was the annual Can-SOLVE CKD with the Canadian Nephrology Society Annual General Meeting. I was still in pain & not eating well, but I did it.
Then 2 weeks later, I was in Kingston, Ontario, presenting at the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG) Spring Meeting about the importance of a Sepsis Registry with my mentor & friend, Christine Caron. Again, I barely functioned & crashed out, but I did it.
Nothing great happens without great sacrifice. Look at what I can do at my worst. What can I accomplish at my best?
The Impetus
I mentioned before the published papers I had assisted on. During the systematic reviews, I noticed that quality of life (QOL) & return to work (RTW) were values not accounted for. It was explained to me that QOL was pages of questions to be filled out. To me, RTW was the ultimate value to demonstrate I have healed from sepsis.
I now have a goal!
Have I chewed off more than I can chew? Possibly…but I have the moxie to try.
Get it, Gurl!
I started Medical Office Assistant (MOA) training at Vancouver Community College (VCC) this week and
I LOVE IT!!!
Between all the procedures & doctor’s appointments I’ve endured, the research I’ve done & the 1st year Nurse’s training I took in the 1900s, I’ve heard of or have seen the medical terminology I am now studying again.
I am already looking forward to my practicum. Our MOA Instructor, Mr. Forde, is a STAR!
I’ve requested a hospital placement. I want to help someone on the worst day of their lives because I’ve been there.
You’re Doing What?
I get people scratching their heads as to why I would return to school at this stage of the game. My Husband makes a living for us & I do collect CPP Disability. However, if it’s possible, I need to be able to support myself & contribute to my community.
I knew I was ready to try because I was bored out of my mind. I have completed 15 micro-credentials trying to fill my days. I’ve been walking & doing yoga to improve my physicality & endurance. I’ve trained for this.
So back to the research question, “Can a multiple sepsis survivor return to work?” I’ll let you know in 6 months.
My Hustle
In the meantime, I protect my health by wearing an N95 mask because sepsis survivors are immunocompromised. I said in a recent presentation for Critical Care BC that being a multiple sepsis survivor is like being a child that learned a new behavior, except my new behavior is how to create a cytokine storm.
A regular, healthy person might catch the flu, but the flu almost killed me in 2019. So, I’m proud to say I’ve noticed a few more masks on campus than on Day 1.
I’m probably not going to have time to blog for a while, but watch for my Graduation Photo!
In closing, September 13 is World Sepsis Day, so hug a Sepsis Survivor. I guarantee you know one. Anyone in the ICU with COVID-19 had SEPSIS!!!
