On November 5th, 2018 our lives changed forever when Russ went into septic shock (following a small kidney stone stuck in a ureter). Last month we decided to sit down together and talk about this life altering experience. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad we did it. The outcome for Russ could have been very different and we feel so blessed to be here together today. (Also, I mixed up the days in the video. He was initially intubated on the Tuesday and they had the failed extubation attempt on Thursday. He was successfully extubated on Saturday, not Friday as I say in the video).

In the video we didn't give mention to all of the people who were there for us be it in person, with supportive texts and calls, or thoughts and prayers. Please know that the support of each and everyone of you meant so much to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Before this experience we didn't know much about sepsis or septic shock. Every year 1.7 million Americans get sepsis and it is estimated to affect 30 million people worldwide. Sadly, 6 million of those people die. In the US, more people die from sepsis than from breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer combined. A recent study from January 2019 found that more people die from sepsis than heart attacks. Clearly, this is something we need to talk more about.

Infections such as pneumonia, kidney infection, abdominal infection, or even an infected hang nail are the types of things that can lead to sepsis.

Early sepsis symptoms include:

Fever and chills
Very low body temperature
Peeing less than normal
Rapid pulse
Rapid breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea

Click here to learn more about the causes and symptoms of sepsis: https://www.healthline.com/health/sep...

Instagram: briana_leonard