A mother from Virginia Beach, Audrey Wiggins, is sharing her life-threatening experience with sepsis to raise awareness, particularly after the recent death of NASCAR star Kyle Busch due to the same condition.
Back in 2015, Wiggins was a healthy 31-year-old who began feeling sick, initially mistaking it for the flu. However, her condition swiftly escalated to severe sepsis, leading to a 10-day stay in the ICU, including five days in a medically induced coma.
Now on the mend, Wiggins is channeling her energy into educating others about sepsis through her nonprofit, the Begin Again Foundation, and she has also authored children’s books to help families spot early warning signs.
Wiggins’ troubling journey began one evening while her husband was away, leaving her to care for their young sons, then 19 months and three years old. As she felt increasingly ill, she chalked it up to flu-like symptoms. “I was achy, had a fever, and felt cold,” she recalled during an interview.
As days went by, her condition worsened, with rising fever and severe stomach issues. Quite incredibly, she began experiencing unusual pain in her elbow and toe, which contributed to her confusion about her symptoms.
Eventually, a friend insisted she seek medical help when she became too weak to take care of her children and started having nosebleeds. In the emergency room, she presented with alarming vitals: abnormally high temperature and heart rate, but dangerously low blood pressure. Wiggins was swiftly admitted to the ICU.
Reflecting on her state, she described herself as “a very, very sick person.” Back in 2015, awareness around sepsis was not nearly as developed as it is today. Wiggins said it took doctors time to determine what was wrong, initially suspecting an autoimmune disease.
Ultimately, she was diagnosed with sepsis after extensive testing. The condition progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), making breathing exceptionally challenging. “I remember just not being able to breathe,” she said, recalling the terrifying experience of having to pause mid-sentence for air.
Doctors later indicated that there was a significant chance she might not wake from her coma. After regaining consciousness, she faced the arduous task of relearning how to walk, relying on physical therapy at home and a PICC line for medication.
The first year post-recovery was tough; her immune system was severely weakened, leaving her frequently ill. While she has since regained her health, Wiggins admits her memory isn’t what it used to be, and she experiences fatigue more quickly. The precise cause of her sepsis remains unclear, though she speculates it may be connected to a recent IUD removal.
She was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome along with strep throat, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and a urinary tract infection, emphasizing just how sick she had really been.
Understanding Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infections that can lead to severe tissue damage and organ failure if not handled promptly. Dr. Mark Siegel, a senior medical analyst, elaborated that the body creates inflammatory chemicals in response, which can sometimes exacerbate the problem rather than alleviate it.
As the severity of sepsis increases, it can cause dangerously low blood pressure and disrupt oxygen supply to the tissues, leading to complications like lactic acidosis. “Instead of your body sending in Navy SEALs, you’re sending in the entire U.S. military,” Wiggins explained, using this analogy to describe the body’s overactive response.
Complications can lead to serious organ failure, particularly affecting the kidneys, which can result in a vicious cycle of toxic buildup and declining health.
Common warning signs of sepsis include high fever, confusion, rapid breathing, extreme weakness, and a bluish or mottled appearance, among others. Wiggins feels compelled to share her story because she was initially unaware of what sepsis was before her ordeal.
A Mission to Raise Awareness
Post-hospital, Wiggins was shocked at the general lack of knowledge surrounding sepsis and subsequently founded the Begin Again Foundation. She mentioned, “If I had known the symptoms and what to look for, I would have sought treatment much faster.”
She also highlighted the exorbitant medical costs associated with sepsis treatment, reflecting on the fear that came with being unable to afford necessary care.
In her efforts to educate, Wiggins released a children’s book, “Katie Koala’s Biggest Bite,” which follows a girl who suffers a significant injury and develops sepsis before it becomes critical. Her hope is to inform both children and parents regarding the symptoms of sepsis.
One important piece of advice she offers to parents is to always inquire if sepsis might be a possibility, as such a question could prompt additional testing and more thorough evaluations at the doctor’s office.
Wiggins strongly believes that early treatment is crucial. “Time is really of the essence,” she warns, noting that countless infections can lead to sepsis, from respiratory issues to even minor cuts.
