21-year-old student Orla lives at home in Glasgow with her mum Michelle, dad Eddie and older brother Stuart. She works part time in retail which she says she enjoys – being part of a good team. Her spare time involves shopping days and trying new restaurants with her friends and boyfriend and spending time with her family – ‘we are very close’, she says. A sun-lover, Orla says that she always loves to have a holiday booked.
This is her story of sepsis
Hi. My name is Orla.
At the end of 2024 – November time – I began to experience some discomfort and pain in my lower right abdomen. I carried on with my usual life. It wasn’t going away though, so I went to the doctors at the start of December 2024 and explained the pain I was experiencing. It was put down to gynaecological issues and possibly an ovarian cyst and I was advised to take painkillers.
The pain continued over time and I continued with everyday life – going with what the doctor had told me. On the Saturday night of 25th January though – so weeks later – I couldn’t sleep and I was up all night shivering, even though I had so many layers on and the heating was on. I still had the pain in my right side which I felt was getting worse. On the Sunday I was very lethargic and still having shivers and experiencing the stomach pain so I thought I should probably get an emergency GP appointment for the next day.
I went to the GP on Monday 27th of January 2025 and I can only describe it as a very disappointing appointment. I felt totally dismissed by the doctor’s reaction to the symptoms that I was sharing with him. Again he put it down to gynaecological issues and said that he would refer me for an ultrasound. He sent me home with paracetamol and anti-inflammatory tablets. As the day continued I felt worse and had no appetite. I was lethargic, shivering and cool to touch and by the Monday night I had bad sickness and was very pale. My mum phoned 111 and explained my symptoms and she was advised to take me to hospital as soon as possible – at this point I was walking in a very stooped way and I was in so much pain.
I was seen straight away at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) and had a CT scan and bloods taken. After the results two on duty surgeons spoke to me and said that my blood markers were not good and that I was very ill and would probably need surgery. I was then admitted.
After my first night in hospital I met my consultant who went over my condition. The consultant explained to me and my family at my bedside that I had a mass over my appendix and small bowel with significant levels of fluid in my abdomen. My consultant couldn’t believe how long I have been dealing with the pain for and that it had got to the stage that it had. My parents were with me at the time, as I was given the diagnosis of sepsis. The news was delivered by the doctor so calmly but my parents were very shocked and clearly upset and they became very worried – the term ‘sepsis’ comes with a lot of negative connotations. They were full of different emotions in terms of how to deal with the situation and knew that they would have to take time off work – my mum took over a month off work in the end to help with my recovery, which shows how sepsis can affect the wider family.
When I was diagnosed I think I was a bit delirious and not really conscious of everything that was going on, I don’t think I could properly take it all in at the time. All I remember is the look on my parents face when we were told and they realised how ill I was. I do remember being upset and panicky as there were a lot of negative thoughts that came with the word sepsis for me too. I knew I was going to be in the hospital for a while and all I wanted was to get better so I could get home.
As my hospital stay continued I found it hard to process what was going on inside my body and how things had got to this stage. I was of course very frightened and also worried about my life afterwards and my recovery. I was studying at college and was given the option to take my course again the next year or to have a course extension. I planned to go to university to study midwifery and I desperately wanted this all to go to plan; I was so worried that it was all going to fall apart. My college class at the time were very supportive – sending me cards and gifts – which I was so appreciative of. I knew that I wanted to get back to my course and not have to take it again – I was determined to finish it and go to university.
During my treatment, I received three bags of strong IV antibiotics a day alongside strong hourly painkillers, and I had three CT scans. At one stage I was supposed to be getting a stoma but the doctor managed to carry out a laparoscopy instead, with a wash out of my abdomen to try and reduce the fluid that had built up, which in the end amounted to over six litres. I was then left with a drain coming out of my abdomen for five days so that anything remaining in my abdomen could be discharged. I had a PICC line put into assist me with feeding as I had gone over two weeks without any solid food.
It turned out that I had initially had appendicitis for over a month with no knowledge which then led to a perforated appendix, which then turned into an infected mass over my appendix and small bowel and it was this that caused the build up of fluid in my abdomen/pelvis.
My recovery from sepsis was hard physically and mentally. Coming out of hospital I was still on antibiotics and was struggling with walking and even just lying down – I think probably as a result of being in hospital and the pain I had been in. I was never able to lie down in bed and was always sat upright, so my back took a lot of the strain causing me to get spasms and a lot of back pain, which I’m still dealing with. I find it hard even now to comprehend what my body went through and whilst recovering, I was always on edge about any sort of pain I experienced and the thought of how bad it could become.
I was in the GRI for three weeks receiving all the treatment, then on a week’s worth of oral antibiotics at home. I’m still under the care of the consultant who treated me at GRI. I have had another CT scan which is showing some abnormalities in the area of my appendix and pelvis. I don’t know how long this monitoring will go on, however, I do know that my body has been through so much and that it isn’t all going to happen overnight. I need to allow time for my recovery under the consultant’s care. I experienced hair loss during my recovery which is now getting much better.
During my treatment and recovery I was very lucky to have the support I did from my close family and friends – I would have struggled without them. My mum, dad and brother were at the hospital every day from first thing in the morning to last thing at night. Sometimes I didn’t have the energy to even talk to them but knowing that they were there made me feel so supported. I was also getting a lot of visits from my boyfriend, friends and close family which always helped to get me through the long days in hospital.
In July of this year I did manage to complete and pass my HNC in healthcare with an A. I managed to finish all my coursework and placement hours in a care home and hospital. I then completed my university interview and was given an offer, so I start at the University of West of Scotland in September 2025, to study midwifery.
Looking back on everything I went through I still can’t believe what my body experienced and how it all happened. I’m glad I’m now more aware of sepsis and its symptoms and the way that it can affect young people and their families. I have the outlook now that I should always listen to my body when I feel something is not right and should push for answers.
Reading other people stories on Sepsis Research FEAT’s website has really helped. I want to share my story now so that other students can be aware of what to look out for if there is the potential that they might have sepsis. I think it’s important for to raise much better awareness of sepsis and it’s so important for everyone to know the signs and symptoms. I would always just say to other people push for answers if you feel something is not right with your body don’t just push things to one side know the symptoms and signs as you never know when you might recognise them in someone else.
Charity Comment:
Orla’s story of sepsis conveys several messages that are at the heart of this charity’s work and its focus on sepsis awareness amongst young people and students:
Her story demonstrates that sepsis can affect anyone, at any time – that sepsis can develop from common infection, and can strike unexpectedly, regardless of your age or prior health. Recent YouGov research by this charity shows that awareness amongst 18-24 year olds is particularly low – almost certainly because they don’t know how susceptible they might be. Despite some misconceptions, sepsis is not limited to high-risk populations and can impact anyone, at any time.
Sepsis awareness is therefore crucial, as Orla says. Timely medical intervention is also vital and the progression of her illness illustrates the necessity for prompt medical attention. Despite initially managing her symptoms, Orla’s condition worsened. Delayed treatment can lead to much more severe outcomes.
Orla’s continued health struggles – some nine months on from suffering from sepsis – also illustrate that sepsis can have a prolonged and profound impact on recovery and quality of life for the circa 100,000 people who survive sepsis in the UK every year. Post sepsis treatment and recovery are an increasing area of focus for this charity and its work.
Sharing personal experiences such as Orla’s helps to raise awareness and educate others. Sharing personal stories makes sepsis awareness messaging much more relatable and impactful, potentially saving lives by increasing recognition of sepsis. We are so grateful to Orla and the huge numbers of others who have taken the time to share their stories with us. And we are so delighted that Orla managed to complete and pass her course so successfully and is now set to fulfil her dream of becoming a midwife.
You can read further stories of sepsis on our website here. And see What is sepsis? – Sepsis Research for more information about the key symptoms of sepsis.