According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.7 million adults and over 18,000 children develop sepsis annually in the United States, with a mortality rate of 20% for adults and 10% for children during hospitalization or hospice care. Following a routine hysteroscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids in 2023, then-35-year-old patient advocate Christina A. Cole developed severe postoperative complications, leading to septic shock, cardiac arrest, multiple organ failure, and subsequent amputations, highlighting critical gaps in patient education and discharge communication.
Routine Procedure Leads to Septic Shock and Cardiac Arrest
Cole underwent a hysteroscopic myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids. Instead of standard recovery, her condition deteriorated rapidly within 24 hours of returning home. When she and her family returned to the medical facility, healthcare providers initially focused on managing the intense pain with stronger medication rather than investigating the underlying cause, according to her account.
Her husband refused a second discharge and brought her to the emergency room, where she suffered cardiac arrest and flatlined shortly after arrival. Emergency exploratory surgery revealed severe perforations involving her uterus and bowel, which allowed infection to spread throughout her body and triggered septic shock. Cole spent months hospitalized, undergoing multiple surgeries, reconstructive procedures, and rehabilitation that ultimately resulted in the loss of several fingertips and partial amputations of both feet.
Post-Sepsis Syndrome and Recovery Challenges
Survival marked the beginning of a complex, non-linear recovery process. During her intensive care unit stay, Cole experienced ICU psychosis, characterized by severe disorientation, fear of memory loss, and persistent insomnia. Organizations such as the Sepsis Alliance define post-sepsis syndrome as a collection of lasting physical, cognitive, and psychological difficulties, including fatigue, pain, limb swelling, reduced organ function, memory issues, depression, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The CDC and the UK Sepsis Trust also document these ongoing challenges.
Cole reports that her recovery includes chronic pain, neuropathy, sporadic nerve pain, swelling, endurance changes, organ issues, new dietary restrictions, and histamine intolerance. She notes that invisible disabilities often lead to public misunderstanding, as people who see her walk cannot perceive the physical calculation, pain, and swelling behind every step.
Healthcare Communication and Discharge Reform
Cole emphasizes that patients are frequently told to advocate for themselves without receiving the necessary information from medical providers to do so effectively. She stated that she had to research post-sepsis syndrome independently while dealing with critical illness, trauma, and exhaustion.
To address these systemic flaws, patient advocates argue that sepsis recovery education must become a standard part of routine hospital discharge planning. According to Cole, healthcare teams should sit down with patients and their families before release to explain what happened, outline physical and cognitive changes, identify symptoms requiring urgent medical attention, and designate specific points of contact for emerging complications.
Did You Know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals who have already had sepsis face a higher risk of developing it again, a lingering fear that shapes how survivors monitor symptoms and navigate daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is post-sepsis syndrome?
Post-sepsis syndrome is a combination of physical, cognitive, and psychological difficulties that can last for months or years after recovery. According to the Sepsis Alliance, symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue, limb swelling, memory issues, depression, and PTSD.
Are sepsis survivors at risk of reinfection?
Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that once a person has had sepsis, they remain at a higher risk of developing it again.
What are the primary signs of severe post-operative complications?
Severe post-operative pain that does not respond to standard management, a feeling that the body is wrong, and rapid physical deterioration can indicate major internal complications such as organ perforation and infection.
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