Our brave mum fighting Pneumococcal Sceptacemia

Many of you know our Mum-in-a-million, Pam. 
Daughter to Rita, little sister to Wendy, dan & sue, wife of 32 years to her Seanie, Mum to me and George, Nanny to Luca (9) Jude (4) and Ida (3) auntie to Vicky, Andrew & Tom, daughter in law to Jean & Denis and friend to so, so many.

On Sunday 10th April Mum had flu-type symptoms that kept her in bed all day. By the early hours of Monday 11th April she was in ICU at West Suffolk Hospital fighting for her life and we were given the most unimaginable news possible; to prepare ourselves for the worst. We just could not take it in. 

Mum was put into an induced coma whilst the amazing staff worked tirelessly to find the reason why she was swollen beyond recognition, why her skin was covered in a terrible rash, why she was in so much pain and why her organs were failing. A couple of days later, it was confirmed that Mum had an infection called Pneumococcal Septicaemia. In short, Sepsis was ravaging through her body. A scan showed that her spleen was shrivelled up and dysfunctional. A working spleen filters infections so this goes a long way to explain why the infection had taken such a hold of our wonderful Mum, Nanny, daughter, sister, friend - to our lovely Pam.

5 long days after being blue-lighted to hospital, Mum was very gradually brought out of the induced coma and over the next few days was taken off the kidney dialysis and blood pressure machine and was, thankfully, breathing on her own. But her now red raw, very vulnerable skin was like she had suffered severe burns all over her body. Her arms, hands and legs were covered in large puss filled blisters.

Over the days that followed, these areas became more concerning and on Friday 29th April Mum was transferred to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford for specialist skin care. The soles of her feet, the little toe on her left foot, the fingers and thumb on her left hand were worryingly black. Using donated skin, Mum had extensive skin grafts to her back, both bum cheeks, the backs of both arms, her left palm and her thighs. The wounds continue to be redressed every couple of days or so but such is the pain, she needs to be fully sedated for this.

We cannot put into words how brave and strong she has been throughout this horrific nightmare. In true ‘Mummy Pam’ style she remains rational and positive and worries more about how her family and friends are coping than about herself. 

Even when the truly unthinkable happened. 

The doctors delivered the most devastating news that Mum would need below the knee amputation on both her legs and likely all fingers and thumb on her left hand (Mum is left handed). But whilst our world continued to fall apart, she remained unbelievably calm and accepting. Her positivity and bravery doesn’t falter whatever life throws her way. 
She is truly the most incredible person.

This totally life changing surgery happened on May 10th and it now presents Mum, and us as a family, with more obstacles to overcome than we can even begin to imagine. The sheer enormity of what it means is incomprehensible at this moment in time. She will remain in hospital for the foreseeable future, enduring gruelling daily physio sessions, constantly being turned, monitored and having her wounds checked and the dressings changed. Although she is exhausted and medicated, her sense of humour continues to shine through. And just because they’ve taken little bits of her, there is no less of her to love.

Pam is the best daughter, sister, wife, mum and nanny ever. She is the kindest, most loyal, sensible, funny and reliable friend you could ever wish to have in your life and it is no surprise to us that she has received so many messages of kindness, love, support and prayers for her recovery. Each one has helped her through the deepest of dark times. She thanks you all and wishes she could reply to each message but at the moment that is just not possible. She says you’re doing well if you receive an emoji from her!

She has an uncertain future at her current part time job at Sainsburys Petrol station and won’t be able to help our Dad initially to run the family MOT station. Mum is a fundamental part of the business, and with Dad taking on the role of Carer, Station Autos will understandably be disjointed whilst we all find our new routine - although Dad is determined to be there for his loyal customers. Dads garage is their  only source of income.

One thing that is definite; Mum is determined to live again. She may have had her legs and the fingers and thumb on her left hand taken away, she may need some cosmetic surgery to her gorgeous face but her heart is still so full of hope and positivity. Her mind still full of goals and dreams.

The worst thing happened and she survived. 

Last year Mum and Dad moved to a lovely little bungalow, with a pretty little garden in Lawshall and they are really very happy there. Some adaptions will have to be made to their home, such as the bathroom being changed to a wet room, and also to their car to accommodate the things Mum will need to keep her mobile. She has already said that she’d like a mobility scooter with a flower basket on the front! The cost of these things is super scary and combined with the ultimate goal of prosthetic limbs in the future, well, I dread to think. 

We are truly overwhelmed with how many of you continue to ask if there is anything you can do to help and now we can say well actually, yes there is.

We are asking in the most desperate of ways for donations to help our Mum be comfortable at home so that she can relearn to do the most simplest of things that we all take for granted. We want to help her regain her independence and her freedom and eventually we want to be able to fund the prosthetics that will help make it possible for her to live her absolute best life, so that she can do everyday things, and be amongst those she loves with ease; to play and be involved with her beloved grandchildren. She has spent her whole life looking out for us all and now we need to look out for her.

We know that these are tough times and you’ve given so much already in the form of good wishes for Mums recovery so any amount that you can afford will be appreciated more than you’ll know. If lots of people can give a little, that combined with Mum’s positive mental attitude, then her future will be bright again. Thank you for reading our story. And even though ‘thank you’ seems inadequate, thank you for any amount you are able to donate. Please can we ask also that you help us to spread the word that we are raising funds to help Pam lead as normal a life as possible as a ‘sepsis survivor’. Sepsis may have robbed her of her limbs but not her life.

We will of course, write with regular updates of Mum’s recovery. It’s going to be a long road for sure, but one we’ll travel together.

Funds raised will go towards:-
Adaptions to home
Adaptions to car
Mobility scooter
Physio in preparation of prosthetics 
Prosthetics
Ongoing maintenance and upgrades

thank you

Rosie