Why Am I Still Here?

So I started the radio show this morning with this cheery question: Why am I still here? No, I wasn't speaking about being on the job and at work, but was wondering, for real, why I'm still alive, why my life has been spared.

As Chris and I were talking, we had no doubt that, for reasons unknown to us, our lives have been extended.

It's not my place to write about the health challenges my co-host has been facing – I'll leave that to him.

But I can write about my experiences. And it seems I was a little to cavalier about my recent stay in the hospital. Briefly, I woke up one Saturday morning shaking and cold and with a significant fever. I knew this was going to be more than a little sleep a little longer and it will go away.

But, based on past experiences, I felt I had picked up some kind of an infection. No big deal, I thought, go to the hospital. They'll give you some anti-bio-tics and you'll be on your way. So, I was more than a little surprised when the folks in the ER said they wanted to admit me to the hospital. Wasn't planning on that. Without going into too much details, it turns out I had sepsis. And the reason I'm writing about this is because September is Sepsis Awareness Month.

Every September, Sepsis Awareness Month shines a spotlight on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is often misunderstood. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death if not treated promptly. Recognizing the signs of sepsis and understanding how to prevent it is crucial, as the condition claims over 250,000 lives in the U.S. each year.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, releasing chemicals into the bloodstream that cause widespread inflammation. This chain reaction can lead to a cascade of medical issues, including shock, multiple organ failure, and death. Fortunately, I wasn't at that point yet.

Common infections that lead to sepsis include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and infections in the abdomen. I'm not sure what infection triggered my body to react, and I don't remember anyone telling me, but there it was.

So you can learn from what I went through, here are some things to watch for. The symptoms of sepsis can often mimic other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. The most common signs to watch for include high or low body temperature, rapid heart rate, confusion or disorientation, difficulty breathing, and extreme pain or discomfort. If any of these symptoms appear, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. And you can get more information by going to the Sepsis Alliance website.

Certain groups are more at risk, including older adults, infants, people with chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, and those with weakened immune systems. I had to wonder if the fact that I am minus one kidney wasn't a contributing factor.

While sepsis is often triggered by bacterial infections, it can also result from viral or fungal infections.

So, Sepsis Awareness Month aims to educate the public and healthcare professionals on how to spot and prevent sepsis. Through increased awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment, the survival rates for sepsis can significantly improve. Prevention also plays a critical role—proper hygiene, vaccination, and infection control measures are essential in reducing the risk. And that's part of the reason I wanted to share this with you. If you see the signs, make sure you get medical attention.

I had excellent medical attention thanks to the tremendous staff at the Cedar City Hospital. I'm grateful for their expertise and compassion.

Get our free mobile app

So, getting back to the original question that Chris and I were talking about this morning, why are we still here? We couldn't come up with a definitive answer, but one thing we did agree on. We have a deeper appreciation of each day that we are given. And we thank you for spending some of your time with us.