Deesh’s Sepsis Journey

Hello, I'm Khedidja, but you might know me as Deesh/Deesha. Life has thrown me a curveball that I never saw coming, and I'm reaching out to share my story with you.

On the 12th April 2023, I welcomed two beautiful twins into the world, naturally with only gas & air. As much as It was a long labour I remember the joy of it going well & being over. I was so happy I said to my partner “I did it”, we were in complete awe, our babies were perfect & we went home the next day to introduce them to their big siblings and family , but little did I know that this joyous moment would quickly turn into a life-altering journey.

Shortly after arriving home, I started to get some stomach pains & as days went on it worsened. Despite my concerns, medical professionals initially dismissed my symptoms. It wasn't until April 17th, when I made a desperate call for an ambulance, as my symptoms worsened this includes green/yellow vomit like soap,diarrhoea,body aches,shivering,lost of appetite & on a whole feeling like I was going to die. Ambulance services collected me from my home and I found myself in the care of St George's Hospital.

I had battled a infection called Strep A which made my body go into septic shock. My body fought really hard, and I miraculously survived, after having multiple surgeries but Ive been left with profound challenges.

My last memory was in ICU in the early hours of the 18th April 2023. I was told needed a procedure done ASAP. My heart rate was high and blood pressure was very low. I waved my family goodbye and went off to theatre, the last words I remember saying to myself was “I got this”. I woke up thinking I had just had my procedure. My partner then began telling me how happy he was I was awake & that I had been sleeping for a whole week in a induced coma, him & my family were told to prepare for the worst. I thought it was a joke he was running and then family and friends started turning up in tears, saying “don’t do that again, We thought were going to loose you” . I was so baffled and also drugged up and full of energy. I even told my friend she had a big nose & another friend that she looked like Shrek. Lol. The energy died down as my body was revealed to me. The sepsis had left lasting damage. My feet/legs hands/arm and nose were black. How did this happen? I didn’t know what was going on.

I then went mute & didn’t speak to anyone- all my visitors we’re getting were nods, shaking head and deep stares. Doctors were concerned the sepsis had traveled to my brain so I went for a MRI scan- all was fine but on the way back to the ward, my nurse told me she heard someone say “hi” , she and the porters looked back confused as I was the patient not speaking why they were taking me for a MRI scan. I then proceeded to ask her how she was & she asked if I knew where I was. I said “yeah, in Jamaica” . I clearly was drugged up because I definitely wasn’t in Jamaica but I remember why I said that. The roof was glass and the sun was beaming through, it really felt hot like i was in Jamaica.

I got better as the days went on and was transferred from ICU to HDU and then finally to a ward. I was then told I would have to have amputation on both legs and left hand. I wasn’t trying to hear that. I said “No, I want to see how much my body can heal”. After a while it became apparent that the limbs were dead and I had to make the tough decision to go ahead with amputation.

On the 22nd of August 2023, both my legs and my left hand were amputated and two weeks later the stumps were formed and I had a completed below the knee amputation and below the elbow amputation on my left hand and also my fingers on my right hand were removed but not the hand as its healing well.

Adapting to this new reality has been physically, emotionally and mentally demanding but I’ve really smashed it and become resilient. Life goes on right? I also got children to raise!

I'm now on the path to rehabilitation, but my journey is far from over. With four children under ten, I face unique challenges in adapting to this new chapter of my life.

I've always prided myself on being an independent Black woman, determined to navigate life's challenges on my own. Asking for help has never been easy for me. But in this moment, I find myself putting aside my pride and reaching out for support.

While my children's father, family & friends have been incredibly supportive, the weight of this situation is more than anyone could bear singlehandedly. My ability to work is limited for the time being, and I don't want to overburden my family. The cost of living has reached crisis levels, and being a young mother with significant physical challenges adds an additional layer of complexity.

Your contribution no matter the size, would go a long way & make a meaningful impact on my journey to recovery and my children’s lives.

I will use the funds for advanced prosthetics limbs, maintenance of wheelchairs, therapy, mobility aids, adaptions to my home and support for my family as we navigate this new normal while I work towards reclaiming my independence and adjusting to my new reality.

If you can find it in your heart to contribute, I will forever be grateful. If you're unable to contribute financially, your thoughts, well wishes, and shares are equally valuable.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Let's come together to show that even in the face of adversity, we can make a difference in each other's lives.

Love Deesh x