A dedicated teacher went to bed with flu-like symptoms and ended up losing both of her legs to sepsis.
Julianna Bransden, 44, a mother of two, was living a “healthy and happy life” until a sudden illness left her fighting for her life.
Ms Bransden started experiencing flu-like symptoms on New Years Eve, days after celebrating a big Christmas with her family. After lying down to try to rest, her husband described her as “falling off a cliff”, deteriorating so much that her heart stopped.
“Julianna’s husband Tim called 111 and they told him to keep giving her paracetamol, but when she wasn’t better he called an ambulance,” Julianna’s mother Linda Burgess said. . The Independent.
“I actually lost my sister-in-law to something very similar, so we were very aware that people can get sick quite quickly.”
Ms Burgess said she received an urgent call to come and look after her grandchildren, Emilia, 14, and William, 11, while Tim was rushed to hospital with Julianna.
Once admitted, Julianna spent 18 days in a coma, with doctors working around the clock to treat her for septic shock, two cardiac arrests and multiple organ failure. She had developed sepsis following an aggressive form of pneumonia brought on by the flu.
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Julianna lost both her legs to sepsis
(Tim Branden)
Julianna eventually pulled herself together, but sepsis had caused severe damage to her hands and feet, and both of her legs had to be amputated.
“It was a total shock,” Ms Burgess said. “We never realized the extent of the damage sepsis could cause, and that it could be caused by influenza and strep A. Now you look back and it all seems a blur.”
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Julianna was in a coma for 18 days after developing sepsis from the flu
(Tim Branden)
Ms Burgess hailed her daughter’s bravery in the face of the “devastating” illness. She added that Julianna “kept smiling with every step”.
“She amazed all the medical staff because she continued to be strong, resilient and accepting of everything. She just smiles.
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Julianna with husband Tim, daughter Emilia (14) and son William (11)
(Tim Branden)
Julianna is currently being treated at Withybush Hospital, having only been discharged from intensive care earlier this month.
“She was able to speak right away. She was very weak, you could just barely hear her, but we were so relieved that she got out of it and was able to recognize and communicate with us,’ Ms Burgess said. The Independent.
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Julianna suffered two cardiac arrests and multiple organ failure
(Tim Branden)
“It wasn’t until some time after he woke up that the extent of the sepsis was explained. We were devastated.
“His hands were badly affected, but his feet were the source of the problem and it was going to compromise all his organs if we weren’t careful, so we made the wise decision to amputate, and once that source of infection gone, she started picking up.”
Sepsis is a common and life-threatening condition triggered by infection.
Sepsis can start anywhere in the body and can occur as a result of a chest or urine infection, an abdominal problem – such as a gastric ulcer – or even cuts and bites.
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Julianna’s mother Linda and father Richard have been by her side throughout her illness
(Tim Branden)
It is caused by the way the body reacts to bacteria. The body’s response to an infection can injure its own tissues and organs. If left untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death.
According to The UK Sepsis Trust, the disease causes 44,000 deaths in the UK each year.
Julianna’s husband, self-employed plumber Tim, has been unable to work since before Christmas and is focused on supporting his two children and getting Julianna home.
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Julianna’s family have been by her side as she recovers in hospital
(Tim Branden)
Julianna’s family, including her parents and brother, who have been by her side since her illness set in, are now helping to raise funds to support Julianna’s recovery, which they hope will include prosthetics. The fundraising page saw donations total over £90,000 in less than a week.
The family want to take Julianna home as soon as she is well enough, but the hospital has yet to give the hospital a date as she continues to receive treatment and is waiting for her hands to heal.
Ms Burgess said the family were so “overwhelmed” with the support they had received, not only financially for Julianna, but also in prayer. She said her daughter would like to raise awareness of the dangers of sepsis to help others recognize the signs.