In 2021, what began as a celebration of the joyous arrival of my long-anticipated first child, quickly turned into a fight for my own life. Sepsis was a foreign thing to me. I naively assumed it was something that happened in elderly homes or rare instances. I never thought I would endure sepsis myself until I was faced with it firsthand. 

Holding my newborn daughter, I had no choice but to fight as hard as I could to survive. I spent over two weeks hospitalized, grappling with the overwhelming physical, mental, and emotional toll of this condition. Each day was an incredible struggle with fever, confusion, and debilitating fatigue. Something changes inside you when faced with a life-threatening diagnosis like Sepsis. The vulnerability and fear you feel are profound, but the physical and mental weakness from sepsis is what will bring you to your knees. 

The impact Sepsis had on me was life-changing. It reshaped my understanding of health and vulnerability, being your own advocate, and highlighted how crucial it is to recognize symptoms early and seek treatment. Though this experience tested my strength and spirit in unimaginable ways, I feel I was given a second chance at life. I am determined to turn my experience into both a warning and a beacon of hope for others. I now passionately advocate for sepsis awareness, striving to educate others about its signs and the importance of immediate action with the hopes it could save a life or the life of someone you love.