Virginia Mother Shares Sepsis Survival Story to Raise Awareness
In light of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s recent passing due to sepsis, a mother from Virginia Beach is sharing her near-fatal experience with the illness to help educate others.
Audrey Wiggins was a healthy 31-year-old in 2015 when she began to feel unwell, mistaking her symptoms for the flu. Unfortunately, her condition worsened into a severe case of sepsis, leading her to spend ten days in the intensive care unit, five of which were in a medically induced coma.
Now fully recovered, Wiggins, who is married to professional golfer Marc Leishman, is committed to raising awareness about sepsis through her nonprofit organization, the Begin Again Foundation. She has even authored a children’s book designed to help families identify the warning signs of this condition.
A Sudden Illness
Wiggins’ health scare began one evening while she was caring for her two young sons. “I felt achy, feverish, and cold, and thought it was just the flu,” she recalled in an interview. However, as time went on, her symptoms escalated. Her fever soared, and she faced severe stomach issues.
“When I started experiencing pain in random areas, like my elbow and toe, I knew something was off,” Wiggins said. Eventually, when she became too weak to care for her children and began to suffer from nosebleeds, a concerned friend urged her to seek medical help.
At the urgent care clinic, her symptoms raised alarms. With a high temperature and racing heart rate but dangerously low blood pressure, she was quickly transported to the emergency room.
“I was a very, very sick person,” she admitted.
The Journey to Recovery
Wiggins highlighted that, back in 2015, awareness of sepsis in hospitals wasn’t as strong as it is today. Initially, doctors struggled to diagnose her condition, mistakenly considering autoimmune issues. Eventually, she was admitted to the ICU, where sepsis progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome.
“I distinctly remember struggling to breathe, and it was terrifying. I could only take tiny sips of air,” she shared.
During her time in the coma, doctors informed her family that there was a significant possibility she might not awaken. Thankfully, when Wiggins did wake up, she faced a long road to recovery that included relearning how to walk and enduring extensive physical therapy at home.
“The first year was incredibly tough; my immune system was shot, and I was constantly ill,” she said.
Understanding Sepsis
Sepsis occurs when an infection spreads into the bloodstream and prompts a severe inflammatory response, which can lead to tissue damage and organ failure if not treated promptly. Common signs of sepsis include fever, confusion, rapid breathing, extreme weakness, and low blood pressure.
Wiggins emphasized the importance of being proactive: “Instead of asking if it’s just a virus, parents should ask, ‘Could this be sepsis?’ This simple question can encourage doctors to explore further.”
Advocating for Change
After overcoming her near-fatal illness, Wiggins was struck by the lack of awareness surrounding sepsis. This motivated her to establish the Begin Again Foundation to educate others about the condition.
“My mission is to ensure others know the symptoms so they can seek help earlier,” she said. Wiggins also discussed the financial burdens associated with sepsis treatment, noting it is one of the costliest medical issues.
Through her children’s book, “Katie Koala’s Biggest Bite,” she aims to teach kids and parents about sepsis in a relatable way. “By sharing this story, I hope to empower families to recognize the signs and seek treatment in time.”
She concluded, “Time is everything when it comes to sepsis. Early treatment can prevent hospitalization, and knowing that can save lives.”
