A woman whose parents died from sepsis within eight weeks of each other developed the same life-threatening condition just four months later.
Lyndsey Feeney, 45, lost both her parents Archie, 73, and Cathy, 72, in April and July 2024.
Lyndsey was still grieving when she was admitted into hospital believing she had a kidney infection.
But she feared she would lose her own life when she was then diagnosed sepsis that had been triggered by a urinary tract infection.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to an infection causes widespread inflammation, leading to organ damage or failure.
Between 20 and 50 per cent of patinets will die as a result of complications related to the condition.
Thankfully, the mother of-three has made a recovery after spending five days in hospital.
Lyndsey, who is on disability allowance because of mental health conditions, from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, said: ‘I was lucky enough to catch mine early.
Lyndsey’s mother Cathy died in the summer after she contracted a UTI that turned septic.
‘But many people like my mother and father aren’t so fortunate. I think there needs to be more awareness about the illness.
‘It was really horrible, losing both of them so close together — I still haven’t come to terms with it.’
Lyndsey’s dad Archie was in relatively good health when he fell and hurt his arm in April this year, landing himself in hospital.
But after six days on the ward, he developed cellulitis — a bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin.
The bug triggered an extreme reaction in his body, resulting in sepsis.
Lyndsey said: ‘They put him to sleep as he’d become delirious and was pulling out his IV drips.
‘We were told he’d wake up, but his organs started shutting down.’
Archie passed away on April 26, 2024 from septic shock. Two months later her mother, Cathy, who suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fell ill too.
Lyndsey’s father Archie died within two months of her mother earlier this year – both deaths were a result of sepsis diagnosed too late.
Lyndsey said: ‘Mum had been very confused and lethargic, so my sister Debbie called an ambulance, but they didn’t arrive until nearly 3am.’
Cathy was admitted to the hospital and passed away just 16 hours later as a result of a urine infection that had triggered sepsis.
Although Lyndsey believes the trauma of Archie’s death may have contributed to her mother’s rapid decline.
Then, in what appeared to be an ongoing nightmare, Lyndsey became ill earlier this month.
She suffered back pain, a high temperature and found it difficult to pass urine. Assuming she had contracted a urine infection, she thought little of it.
But when the fever got worse, she took herself to hospital, where she was admitted there and then.
To her horror, doctors revealed she’d suffered the same septic infection as her mother, which instantly made her fear she was destined for the same fate.
Thankfully, antibiotic treatment proved successful and Lyndsey is now home but still has lingering back pain.
She said: ‘By the time I came out of the hospital, I felt much better. I was really lucky to have caught it early, but I’m still scared it could happen again.’
Lyndsey is calling for greater awareness of the condition.
‘They call it the silent killer for a reason. If it’s not caught early enough, there’s nothing that can be done.’
Through her heartbreak, Lyndsey hopes to spread the message about the importance of recognising the symptoms of sepsis – severe pain, high fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, and lethargy.
She said: ‘It’s devastating, but if sharing my story can help save someone else, then it’s worth it.’
Sepsis strikes when an infection such as blood poisoning sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.
It is the leading cause of avoidable death, killing at least 44,000 a year.