After the 2 "pneumonia " scares, the 2nd one presented with septic shock. I was in danger of losing my life. After intubation, being transported to a big city hospital, undergoing a bronchoscopy and battery of tests (which were all inconclusive) they did a ct of my kidneys and found they were functioning at 18%. After I required less 02 and stabilized I was sent back to my local hospital where I was put on amoxiclav for a month. Released 0ct 2.
Despite sitting up for all meals, or being in a chair at their insistence I was not getting stronger. My breathing was awful and no way even with practice could I fill my lungs. Yet my cough was dry. I got the 6 min walk before discharge and all the RT said was "you dont need home oxygen and theres a code blue called so I have to go". The doc who did the bronchoscopy said nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He confessed to not knowing what was wrong. The only thing I knew was there was ground glass opacities on the ct. At home my lungs felt the same despite using the thing you blow into with the ball inside and walking to the bathroom - but really out of breath. After I walked to the kitchen I'd have to sit. I couldnt leave the apartment, the main doors were too far. Heart rate darted up with any movement and walking it was 130+. It frightened me so I basically stayed in bed a lot and became totally deconditioned. In mid November I had enough and pushed through the fear. I had flashbacks of my heart rate being 140 the night before I went septic and here it was again. I also incorporated some exercises from a video from a pulmonologist. That really helped! I did the exercises daily and walked more, did small chores. Now I'm out of bed about 85% of the day compared to 10% which was what I did for a month. I'm eating a lot of fish, chicken, veg, no salt, no sugar, healthy fats, and anti inflammatory food for gut health. Lost 50 lbs but because this "thing" took me down without warning both times, I want to lessen the chance of it happening again. They say 1/3 of sepsis survivors will have a repeat within a year.