A devoted elementary school teacher went to bed with flu-like symptoms and lost both legs to sepsis.
Juliana Bransden, 44, a mother of two, lived a “happy and healthy life” until a sudden illness forced her into a life-threatening battle.
Bransden first experienced flu-like symptoms on New Year’s Eve, just days after celebrating a big Christmas with her family. After she tried to rest in her bed, her husband described her as “falling off a cliff” and it got so bad that her heart stopped.
“Juliana’s husband Tim called 911 and was told to keep giving her paracetamol, but she wasn’t feeling well so we called an ambulance,” said Linda Burgess, Juliana’s mother. Independent.
“I actually lost my sister-in-law to a very similar illness, so people knew very well that they could get sick very quickly.”
Burgess said she received an urgent call to look after her grandchildren, Emilia, 14, and William, 11, while Tim was in the hospital with Juliana.
After being hospitalized, Juliana was in a coma for 18 days, and doctors worked around the clock to treat septic shock, two cardiac arrests, and multiple organ failure. She had developed sepsis as a result of aggressive pneumonia caused by influenza.
Juliana lost both legs to sepsis
(Tim Brunsden)
Juliana eventually returned, but sepsis severely damaged her hands and feet, and both legs had to be amputated.
“It was a complete shock,” said Ms. Burgess. “We didn’t realize the extent of the damage that sepsis could cause, or what it could be caused by influenza or Streptococcus A. Looking back on it now, it all seems a blur.” increase.”
Juliana was in a coma for 18 days after developing sepsis as a result of the flu
(Tim Brunsden)
Burgess praised her daughter’s courage in the face of the “devastating” illness.
“She amazes all the medical staff because she’s strong, resilient and continues to accept everything. She just smiles.”
Juliana with husband Tim, daughter Emilia (14) and son William (11)
(Tim Brunsden)
Juliana is currently being treated at Withybush Hospital and was just discharged from the intensive care unit earlier this month.
“She was able to speak right away. I was very relieved,” Ms Burgess said. Independent.
Juliana suffered two cardiac arrests and multiple organ failure
(Tim Brunsden)
“It wasn’t until some time after she woke up that the extent of the sepsis was explained. We were devastated.
“Her hand was severely affected, but her leg was the source of the problem and all her organs could be compromised if she was not careful, so she made the wise decision to amputate it and After the source of infection was gone, she started picking it up.”
Sepsis is a common and potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection.
Sepsis infections can start anywhere in the body and can occur as a result of chest or urine infections, abdominal problems such as stomach ulcers, or even cuts or bites.
Juliana’s mother Linda and father Richard stayed by her side throughout her illness
(Tim Brunsden)
This is caused by the way the body responds to bacteria. The body’s response to infection can damage its own tissues and organs. If untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death.
According to the British Sepsis Trust, 44,000 people in the UK die from the disease each year.
Julianna’s husband, Tim, a self-employed plumber, has been out of work since before Christmas and is focused on supporting his two children and getting Julianna home.
The family stayed by Juliana’s side as she recovered in the hospital
(Tim Brunsden)
Juliana’s family, including her parents and brother, who have been by her side since her illness took hold, are now Raise funds to help Juliana recover, they hope the prosthetics will be included. In less than a week, the fundraising page has raised over £90,000 in total donations.
The family wants Juliana to go home as soon as she has fully recovered, but she has not yet been given a date by the hospital as she continues to receive treatment and wait for her hand to heal.
Burgess said she was “overwhelmed” by the support her family received, not only financially for Juliana, but also in prayer. She said her daughter wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of sepsis.
