What began as a routine medical procedure spiralled into a life-and-death battle for a mother who spent two weeks in a coma, her family told to prepare for the worst.
Michelle Morris, 48, underwent surgery to remove her gallbladder—a common operation with a typically straightforward recovery. But just days later, she was rushed back to hospital in agonising pain, her body succumbing to a vicious sepsis infection.
A Descent Into Darkness
"The pain was unlike anything I've ever experienced," Michelle recounted. "It felt like my entire body was shutting down." Her condition deteriorated at a terrifying speed. Medics placed her in an induced coma to save her life, giving her a mere five percent chance of survival.
For her terrified family, it was a torturous waiting game. "We were told to say our goodbyes," her sister, Samantha, revealed. "We genuinely believed we were losing her."
The Agonising Awakening
After 14 days in the coma, Michelle finally woke—but her emergence was traumatic. "The first thing I did was scream," she said. "I was disoriented, in pain, and had no idea where I was or how much time had passed."
The road to recovery was long and arduous. The sepsis had ravaged her body, and she had to learn to walk again. "I was like a newborn, having to rebuild my strength from nothing," she explained.
A New Mission: Sepsis Awareness
Now, fully recovered, Michelle is channelling her horrific experience into a force for good. She has become a passionate advocate for sepsis awareness, emphasising the critical importance of recognising the signs early.
The key symptoms everyone must know:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- Mottled or discoloured skin
"I am one of the lucky ones," Michelle stated. "I shouldn't have survived. My story is a warning to everyone not to ignore the signs. It nearly cost me everything."
Her miraculous survival stands as a powerful testament to the work of the NHS and a stark reminder of the stealthy danger posed by sepsis.
