A Drumchapel mum died from sepsis just two days after undergoing day surgery.
Alastair Craig said the 'light went out of his life' when he learned his wife Brenda had passed away from the deadly infection at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
He shared his story in a bid to help raise awareness of the condition and help save other lives.
Alastair explained Brenda was admitted for a routine procedure in February 2020 to have a stent removed, after suffering from a kidney stone.
He said: "She was supposed to leave later that afternoon but at about 5pm she phoned me to say she had been kept in as her blood pressure had dropped."
After visiting her that evening he returned home, however, Alastair received a knock on the door in the early hours on Tuesday morning.
The loving husband said: "There were two police officers who told me that the hospital contacted them to alert to the fact Brenda had been taken to ICU. When I arrived I was told her condition was causing the medical staff some alarm".
To which they told Alastair that his wife had been diagnosed with sepsis.
Brenda has two sons from her previous marriage, who both live in Vancouver, it was later advised that they should make the journey from Canada to be with their mum in her last moments.
Sadly, two days after the routine procedure Brenda passed away, Alastair said: "the doctor on duty told me that she was unlikely to see out the day. Four hours later, the light went out of my life."
Three years on and he is determined to take part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk in hopes to raise funds and awareness of the deadly condition.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control, injuring its own tissues and organs which can result in multiple organ failure and death.
Alastair is one of a number of supporters who are joining Sepsis Research FEAT staff members in taking part in the Kiltwalk, Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event.
He said: “I am taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk in support of Sepsis Research FEAT. If even one person is saved as a result of the monies or awareness raised, then it is all worthwhile.”
Sepsis Research FEAT is the only UK based charity dedicated to supporting research to help identify treatments for sepsis, while also working to raise awareness of this devastating condition.
The organisation advise not to ignore these extremely important symptoms:
- Confusion
- Not passing as much urine as normal
- Very high or low temperature
- Uncontrolled shivering
- Cold or blotchy arms and legs
Colin Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Sepsis Research FEAT , said: “We are grateful to Alastair for taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk to fundraise for Sepsis Research FEAT. Sepsis is an indiscriminate, deadly condition that can kill a healthy person in a matter of hours. The biological processes that cause it are not understood and that is why more research is needed.
"As Sepsis Research FEAT marks its 10th anniversary this year, we’re asking you to consider joining Alastair in being part of our birthday celebrations and raising money to support vital research. If you can’t make it to a Kiltwalk, our Give Us 10! campaign offers a range of other fundraising activity suggestions for individuals and groups to take part in. We would be very grateful for whatever support you can offer.”
To find out more and get involved with the Give Us 10! campaign, visit sepsisresearch.org.uk/10th-anniversary/#give-us-ten.
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