Hello,
My beloved husband died about a month ago - not from oesophageal cancer, but from sepsis. I'm posting this because as far as I can tell, there is little information about sepsis on the cancer websites although chemo is a possible factor in sepsis. Forgive me if I'm ill-informed, but as far as I can tell, there is information about contacting oncology if the cancer patient contracts an infection, but little fleshed-out information about why this might be important. To give some context: my husband was being given chemo for OC. This led to extreme fatigue (but no other significant side-effects). He had chemo on Tuesday and experienced the usual fatigue. On Sunday he was more fatigued and in the evening wasn't able to move. I'd been told previously when he had a choking episode that he needed 'reassurance' if he was unwell and that contacting the ambulance service wasn't appropriate. He didn't have a temperature and wasn't obviously confused or losing consciousness. In the morning I was so concerned I contacted first District Nurses who referred me to GP. This took two hours. Paramedic came after a further 2 hours and diagnosed sepsis at 11 am. Into hospital. Blood tests and history taken with antibiotics administered three hours after admission and seven hours after I tried contacting medical staff. He never recovered. I was told he had contracted an infection and the sepsis was in response to this. Treatment was withdrawn when he didn't respond and he died a few hours later. I am devastated.
I feel the connection between a possible infection and sepsis should be flagged up in the cancer websites. I am also concerned that a patient can have sepsis but not have a temperature or other obvious indication of an infection (in his case, bronchial pneumonia diagnosed post mortem). I feel the symptoms of sepsis as advertised on the side of ambulances are good at raising awareness but don't necessarily cover the whole range of red flags. I feel so guilty that I should have identified a problem earlier.
I will contact sepsis charities. but hope this raises awareness.
Hi wesurvived and I am sorry to hear about your husband, my sincere condolences.
I have been on my incurable cancer journey for over 25 years now and actually have had sepsis on a number of occasions, so as a family we know the challenges around keeping a watchful eye for the signs very well.
Thank you for taking the time to highlight your husband’s journey to the community as this helps remind us all as to the hidden threat that sepsis can be during treatment.
My brushes with sepsis was actually not during chemo but 10 months out from my last treatment so the sepsis risk is ever present.
I can only imagine as to how challenging a time this is for you but it is often said that talking helps….. so you may find our dedicated Bereaved Spouses and Partners Group a safe place to connect with others who are navigating the journey as yourself ((hugs))
