Carlisle Woman Shares Sepsis Warning After Waking Up In Intensive Care

A Carlisle woman who survived a life threatening battle with sepsis is sharing her experience to help others recognise the condition before it becomes critical.

Kelly Pattison developed biliary sepsis after a large gallstone blocked a bile duct and caused a serious infection. She was treated at Cumberland Infirmary and spent three days in intensive care before waking on a hospital ward.

Kelly had initially believed she was suffering from a stomach bug after becoming unwell following an otherwise normal day at work. She was usually fit and well, worked full time and had a busy family life, meaning she did not immediately suspect that something more serious was developing.

After continuing to feel unwell, Kelly visited her GP about a week after she first became ill. Her condition then deteriorated rapidly, with paramedics eventually being called to her home after she fainted on more than one occasion.

She also experienced high temperatures, chills and extreme shivering while sleeping much more than usual. Despite having previous family experience of sepsis involving a child, Kelly said she did not recognise the symptoms as warning signs of the condition.

Kelly was admitted to A&E believing she would receive treatment, be monitored and then return home once she felt better. Instead, her condition worsened quickly and she was closely monitored as medical staff responded to the deterioration.

She has limited memories of her time in A&E and intensive care and only began to understand what had happened after waking on a hospital ward several days later. She described feeling emotional and frightened when she realised how seriously ill she had been.

After leaving intensive care, Kelly remained in hospital for around two weeks before being discharged shortly before Christmas. With support from medical staff and physiotherapists, she gradually began rebuilding her strength and had to learn to walk using Zimmer frames.

Her recovery was difficult, with significant tiredness and an inability to concentrate for long periods. She also lost weight, had little appetite and struggled to find drinks she could tolerate, including water.

Once home, Kelly received substantial support from her husband and daughter. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists also visited regularly for several weeks, helping her regain independence as her strength slowly improved.

Kelly has continued to receive medical care following her discharge and has returned to hospital several times for procedures aimed at clearing the bile duct blockage. She is now awaiting possible surgery and remains under the care of her GP and hospital teams.

She continues to experience symptoms following sepsis, including fatigue, low mood, sensitivity to light and noise, and anxiety. Kelly said she has had to accept that recovery takes time and has learned to listen more carefully to her body when she needs to rest.

Despite the challenges, Kelly was able to return to work at Easter. She has since completed a long phased return to full time employment, with support from her managers and employer throughout the process.

Kelly has also become a lived experience volunteer with the UK Sepsis Trust. Through sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness of sepsis and help people understand the warning signs that can accompany the condition.

Sepsis occurs when the body's response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs. It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death if it is not recognised and treated quickly, making early medical attention particularly important.

Warning signs in adults can include slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine, severe breathlessness, mottled or discoloured skin and feeling as though death is imminent. Children can display different symptoms, including very rapid breathing, convulsions, unusual lethargy, pale or mottled skin and a rash that does not fade when pressed.

Kelly's experience highlights how quickly sepsis can develop and how easily its early symptoms can be mistaken for a less serious illness. Her message is that people should take worrying changes in their condition seriously and seek medical advice when they are concerned about an infection.

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