Lee Duncan from Glasgow was just 36 years old when he became gravely ill with sepsis. A proud dad to three children: Leah, now 19, Rylee,12, and Esme, 8, his life took an unexpected turn very suddenly in February 2016. He takes up his story here. 

At the time, my partner and I had just welcomed Esme into our lives. She was only a few months old and we were living in Hamilton. One Monday I began feeling extremely unwell. I thought it was just the flu, but something felt different – there was added sickness and profuse sweating. I decided to get myself back to my parents. They were concerned and called the GP for a home visit, and he diagnosed it as the flu. However, my condition continued to deteriorate rapidly. 

Four days later, I found myself having a fit, drenched in sweat, and with a dangerously high temperature. My dad rushed me to the Queen Elizabeth hospital, where things took a terrifying turn. Almost immediately I was put into a medically induced coma as my body started to shut down. I was diagnosed with meningitis and multiple clots in my jugular veins and had developed sepsis as a result. My parents and partner were told to be prepared for the worst as I fought for my life. 

I spent ten days in a coma in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I can’t recall all the medications I received, but it was a substantial list. Blood thinners were among them, and I had to continue taking them for six months after my recovery. I received my sepsis diagnosis whilst I was still in a coma at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. My parents were the ones who were informed. I knew nothing about it at the time, being unconscious. Their reaction was obviously heartbreak – they were filled with worry, as I am their only child. 

My treatment lasted for 14 weeks in the infectious diseases ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Rehabilitation became a crucial part of my life, encompassing physical therapy and support for the mental health challenges that came with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of sepsis. Thankfully, I am no longer receiving treatment but there are still ongoing health challenges that I face.  

Before my illness, I worked as an area sales manager on the road for Nielsen Chemicals, supplying cleaning chemicals and janitorial products to bus companies and car washes. However, the clots in my jugular veins and lungs, chronic pain from head to toe, and my body’s newfound limitations meant I had to adapt. My daily routine now caters to my needs, often requiring an afternoon lie-down just to get through the day. 

Due to my ongoing health issues and being made redundant due to my condition, I had to pivot. I created a virtual job and now manage the only professional Esports Simracing team within the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – Team HARD – during the summer months. In the winter, I work with the Glasgow Clan elite ice hockey team either handling statistics or assisting on the bench. 

During my journey, my parents were my biggest source of support. When I was diagnosed, my outlook on life became even stronger. I had always believed in the importance of enjoying life to the full because you never know what tomorrow may bring. That perspective remains with me to this day. Now I believe even more firmly that you should do what makes you happy and cherish the moments you have. 

Before my experience, I had not heard of Sepsis Research FEAT. I was scanning through social media recently as I knew it was Sepsis Awareness Month in September and I decided to share my experience to help in any way I can and to raise awareness. I consider myself extremely lucky to have survived sepsis, and I hope that by sharing my story I can help others become more aware of the condition and its warning signs. To anyone reading this, my message is simple: if in doubt, call 999. Sepsis is a silent threat that can strike anyone, and early intervention can make all the difference in the world.