28 Aug Grateful Patient Kayla
1. Briefly describe how your patient journey began?
In October of 2011 I was a 22-year-old mom to a rambunctious 3-year-old toddler, a full-time dental assistant,
and full-time dental hygiene student. I happened to have a Friday off of work and began experiencing sudden
back pain. I thought I had pulled a muscle, but the pain progressed. My mother took me to the ER because my
husband was at work and I was told I had a kidney infection and given a pain shot and sent home. Saturday, I
took another trip to the ER when I was experiencing severe pain with vomiting and fever. I had my scan that
revealed a 6mm kidney stone and was told I would pass it. Sunday, I was getting ready to go to another hospital
and the urologist called and wanted me at the hospital early Monday. My best friend was my surgical nurse.
When I woke up from surgery my temp was 108 and my stats were BP 60/20 and HR 200 bpm. I have medical
knowledge and knew this wasn't good. I had an abscess that went into my bloodstream and caused Severe
Septic Shock. My organs began to fail, and my husband had to sign a form allowing the hospital to administer
Xigris in any hopes of me not dying. I was placed in a medical coma and on life support for nearly 3 days. I am a
miracle!
2. How did your journey change you?
I am grateful for every second of every day. I live life with a smile on my face and tell people all the time that I
am a walking miracle. I am blessed to watch my children grow. I will turn the big 3-0 in November and most
people hate it, but I know I could have stopped having birthdays nearly 8 years ago! My doctor told me that I
came as close to death as anyone could and had I not had surgery on that Monday I probably would have gone
to sleep at some point on Monday and NEVER awoken.
3. Is there a specific medicine/treatment/medical device/pharmaceutical company you are grateful for?
Although it is no longer in use I feel Xigris saved my life.
4. Who are you most grateful for and why?
I am grateful for my best friend, Kayla Hall, for being by my side during
this horrid ordeal! I am grateful for my friend, Denise Hall, for bringing me a toothbrush (although I was too
weak to use it on my own for about a week) because she knew it would make me feel better. I am most thankful
for my husband who had to make the difficult decision to try and save my life and thank goodness it WORKED!
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