In his late 60s and now retired, Trevor from Somerset loves to spend time with his adult children Hannah and Alexander and his grandchildren. A sudden and shocking occurrence of sepsis in the late spring of 2023 had dramatic consequences, and led to a change in perspective. Trevor recalls the way that events unfolded here. 

In May 2023 I began to encounter flu-like symptoms – I had a constant headache and a feeling of being run down. We had no real concerns that my symptoms were anything other than just flu though. This continued over a number of days, despite taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. I continued to feel unwell for approximately one week with no improvement by which time my wife Judith and I were staying at my sister and brother in law’s home near Reading. On day eight, having gone to bed early, I awoke needing to visit the bathroom. Getting out of bed I stumbled to the floor and my wife asked whether I was OK. When I tried to reply, I couldn’t form a sentence or speak coherently, and I also struggled to stand. An ambulance was called and I was admitted into The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. My wife Judith had noticed that the skin on my back was mottled in colour, and she raised concerns with the medical staff present at the time. Based on my symptoms and responses to questions I was seen immediately and sent straight to ICU, experiencing major organ failure and necrosis to fingers and both feet. My family were told that the first five days in ICU were critical and potentially fatal due to my initial unresponsive reaction to the treatment prescribed. I was fortunate that the RBH was the nearest hospital to my sister and brother in law’s house and that it had both ICU and renal specialisms.    

I went on to spend 10 days in ICU, followed by three weeks in the renal ward having daily dialysis from a unit at my bedside. I had visits from both the renal and vascular team until the dialysis ended after six weeks. I was seen daily by renal consultants and monitored continuously.  In order to move me nearer home, I was transferred to Dorchester County Hospital, Dorset, as neither Yeovil or Musgrove Hospitals had renal departments.  Dorchester is an hour away from my home, however, it had a visiting Vascular consultant whose care I then was under.  He was based in Bournemouth where after 10 weeks it was decided that due to the necrosis it would be necessary to amputate my right leg below the knee.   

It was during that initial time in ICU at the RBH – on 19 May 2023 – that I was diagnosed with sepsis. I wasn’t aware of the diagnosis initially. When I was told, I failed to understand the potential longer-term implications. My family’s reaction was one of devastation though. We still have no clue as to how I contracted sepsis – my blood was sent to Porton Down for analysis and the response was inconclusive as to the cause. 

I spent a total of 11 weeks in hospital – in Reading, Dorchester and Bournemouth. I now have six monthly checks with a renal consultant and monthly visits to the mobility centre. 

I had thought that sepsis was a hospital contracted infection as I was aware that it was often recorded as the cause of death.  I had noticed the word on the sides of ambulances, however not understanding the full implications of how quickly the infection can spread and damage the body.  Speed is imperative along with specialist knowledge; I was fortunate that the ICU consultant and nursing staff had experience of sepsis. Awareness and knowledge for everyone is key though. 

Looking back I cannot believe the strength and support that my wife Judith gave me throughout. And each and every member of the NHS team that took care of me was truly inspirational. My vascular surgeon being a straight talking and positive human being was also exactly what I needed at the time. 

When I was diagnosed I just felt happy to be alive and thankful for the expertise, love and care that I was given. I also had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve in terms of being able to go back to walking, swimming and driving. With the passage of time, I just want to be seen as Trevor the person and not Trevor the invalid. My interests continue to revolve around my children and grandchildren who live close by. Living as we do in a rural community surrounded by the countryside, I love walking – we have a wonderful cocker spaniel called Ted who accompanies us everywhere we go. I also love watching sports and have followed Nottingham Forest Football Club since the age of 10 (for my sins). We also own a small property in the South of France which we use as much as is possible. 

I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2023, two months before contracting sepsis. Due to the implications of sepsis my treatment was delayed by 12 months in order for me to recover and to allow my kidney functions to cope with a further operation. My prostate was removed in August 2024 and I am now on the road to recovery (awaiting blood tests). 

I hadn’t heard of the charity Sepsis Research FEAT before but its work in raising awareness and funding research into sepsis makes me feel so thankful. In sharing my story with the charity now I just want to impress on others that life is precious and when a setback occurs don’t give up! 

Charity comment: 

Trevor’s story encapsulates many elements that are at the heart of this charity’s drive to raise awareness of sepsis and fund research. 

Like most people he was vaguely aware of sepsis but had no idea that any of us could be susceptible at any time and that it was important for everyone to know the symptoms and the need to act fast to gain treatment – a fact that he is now keen to stress to others. 

Like many people, he was inclined to brush off symptoms in the hope that they would pass. The rapid progression of his condition to major organ failure and necrosis underscores how quickly and severely sepsis can strike. 

The fact that Trevor also remains unaware of the infection that might have led to sepsis is also not uncommon. 

It is for all of those reasons that Sepsis Research FEAT continues to work so hard to fund research into improving the understanding and treatment of sepsis and to carrying out potentially life-saving sepsis awareness campaigns 

A key part of that awareness work centres on the sharing of stories such as Trevor’s – which is testament to the strength of his spirit and the life-saving impact of skilled medical care and support networks. We are very grateful to Trevor and to all those who so generously share their stories with the charity to aid our work.