After developing sepsis following surgery to fit an ICD device, Tracy Ashcroft Nolan fought for her life for 12 days before passing away from organ failure. Her fiance, Mark, is sharing her story to raise awareness of how quickly sepsis can develop and to encourage people to act fast at the first sign of infection.
On 10th May 2024, Tracy had an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) fitted after suffering a cardiac arrest. The procedure seemed successful, and she returned home to recover. Just over a week later, on 18th May, she suddenly became seriously unwell overnight. Her family noticed an alarming change in her condition. “Her skin colour changed, and she was extremely tired and struggling to talk,” Mark recalled.
She was admitted to hospital, where doctors discovered that the device had caused an infection, which had rapidly progressed to sepsis. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, no treatment seemed to work. Tracy fought bravely for 12 days, but the infection overwhelmed her body, leading to organ failure. Her family could only watch as she slipped away.
“We felt a mix of different emotions,” Mark said. “We were all scared and upset, as well as angry and confused.”
Before Tracy’s illness, the family knew very little about sepsis. “If anything at all,” Mark admitted. Now, they understand all too well how deadly it can be.
Looking back, Mark wishes they had known what to watch for. “Look out for the slightest sign of infection and act on it straight away,” he said. “It’s better to be wrong than to go through what we are going through.”
He hopes that sharing Tracy’s story will help others recognise sepsis before it’s too late. “Sepsis is out there, and people need to find out as much as they can about it,” he said.
Mark also believes more needs to be done to educate both the public and medical professionals about sepsis. “Healthcare staff need more information – more education for everyone, including themselves,” he said.
Tracy’s death has left a huge hole in the lives of those who loved her. By raising awareness, Mark hopes to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak. Sepsis can strike suddenly and escalate within hours – recognising the signs and acting fast could save a life.
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