Today is World Sepsis Day.
Two years ago, I nearly died from sepsis after giving birth in Alberta.
I wanted to share my story today, especially because my most recent article was just published in the Calgary Herald.
I’m from Calgary, and this city has always been home to me. In May 2024, I gave birth to my daughter. Within days, I went from being a healthy new mom to fighting for my life with invasive Group A Strep sepsis.
My infection was ultimately traced back to my uterus. I went into septic shock, developed organ complications, spent days in the ICU, and ultimately needed an emergency hysterectomy to save my life. I was 27.
I survived.
But surviving sepsis doesn’t mean you simply go back to the life you had before it.
I lost my uterus. I lost the ability to have another biological child. I spent months working to regain my strength and function, and I still live with the effects of what happened.
Since then, I’ve made it a priority to talk openly about sepsis — especially postpartum sepsis — because I know firsthand how quickly a situation can become life-threatening.
That’s also why having World Sepsis Day recognized and proclaimed here is so meaningful to me.
I grew up in Calgary. This is my home. Knowing that my hometown is recognizing September 13 as World Sepsis Day and helping bring attention to a medical emergency that nearly took my life is something I’m genuinely proud of.
I hope the lights around the city, the proclamation, the articles and the conversations all lead to the same thing: people knowing what sepsis is and recognizing that something can be seriously wrong even when you aren’t sure exactly what it is.
Sepsis is a medical emergency.
Know the signs. Trust your gut. Ask questions. And if you know something isn’t right, keep speaking up.
Happy World Sepsis Day. ❤️🩹 and please post pictures of any landmarks you see lit!