Surviving Sepsis is hard! Unknowingly my life changed forever with my 1st sepsis infection in 2011. I wrote about my grieving process in the blog post titled How To Overcome the Heavy Layers of Loss.
I’ve now had 3 sepsis infections, so recovery looks like this.
It’s a game of snakes and ladders that I’m not allowed to win, which is challenging for a goal-oriented person like myself. I did not understand why I survived if I was just going to exist.
Hand Me Those Lemons
Then I met Dr. Fox-Robichaud online. I was in awe. There I was speaking to this year’s recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and Scientific Director of the Sepsis Canada LiFTING Training Program. She wanted me to apply to become a Patient Scientist.
Admittedly, I had no idea what I was in store for, but I jumped at the chance. After all the sleepless nights writhing in pain, and all the doctors who dismissed me as a psych patient; I was finally seen. Better yet, I now had a purpose!
Let’s make Lemonade
My Husband always tells me that I never just do something, I put my heart and soul into it. So that’s exactly what I did. The last time I was in school cursive was a thing. Now I had to learn computer skills and how to write in APA format, but I did it.
I had previously isolated myself because social interactions were difficult. My brain was not the same post-sepsis. I had difficulty finding words, trouble remembering names, and small talk was painful.
So, I gave myself an organized workstation, prioritized my school schedule and read a lot of the material twice to absorb the content. Because I started my adult life training to become a nurse, I found the program fascinating.
I especially liked the commitment to EDI, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and loved the approach to decolonization of health research. Indigenous people have been the guinea pigs since Europeans arrived on our shores. Being a Métis Woman, I wanted to learn more about my culture and how to be effective in community engagement with Indigenous communities.
Becoming
My first interactions were terrifying. I was suffering from impostor syndrome. Here I was, this Singer with no university degrees rubbing elbows with all these accomplished medical professionals. But here’s the thing, the lived experience is the facet that the medical community does not understand. By involving Patient Partners, it was like getting the backstage tour at a concert. My degree was in surviving sepsis.
After 2 years of modules online via McMaster University Continuing Education, preparing a practicum and a Symposium in Halifax, I was ready to graduate! I am now a Patient Partner Researcher.
And She’s Off
I was trained in the basic modalities of research so I could now join research projects. So far, I have completed 2 studies that are awaiting publishing in medical journals. I also sit on 4 committees in relation to furthering sepsis research.
These include:
- The National Sepsis Action Plan
- James Lind Alliance
- CCCTG Indigenous Circle
- Sepsis Canada
This program was a lifeline to me in my darkest hour when I had no understanding of what happened to me. If this sounds like you, I encourage you to apply here: Sepsis Canada LiFTING Training Program
The Patient/Caregiver voice has never been more important!
