Every day Lucy Shields wakes up fearing that it could be her baby boy's last.
At just three weeks old, her son Roman was diagnosed with sepsis, a life-threatening infection that has left him with life-changing conditions.
Despite defying the odds of survival Roman, now aged two, has an extensive list of medial conditions as a result of the infection.
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He has suffered brain damage, is unable to walk, is fed through a tube and has epilepsy, as well as a number of other medical conditions.
And his heartbroken mum said a do not resuscitate (DNR) order was put in place during his most recent hospital stay.
Lucy, 36, said: "I feel like I live on egg shells every day because I just don't know what's going to happen to Roman each day."
The mum-of-three, from Gateshead, added: "Sepsis has changed all of our lives, not just Roman's, but the whole family's.
"Our lives just aren't the same anymore and it never will be the same because he's never going to get better."
Roman was diagnosed with sepsis on October 12, 2019, which was also his eldest brother's 16th birthday.
Lucy and dad Richard had taken Roman to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, with what she believed was colic.
But doctors rushed Roman to intensive care after diagnosing the youngster with sepsis and he remained on life support for three weeks.
Lucy said: "When we got to the hospital they took one look at him and rushed him to resus. He was fragile and floppy and the sepsis had impacted his brain.
"Within minutes my life was turned upside down."
Roman was able to spend Christmas 2021 at home with his family after being discharged from Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary on December 22.
But on Boxing Day the family received a shock when Roman tested positive for Covid, which he thankfully managed to fight.
Lucy said: "I don't know where Roman gets the strength from, he's just so bubbly. He tries to babble on and he's such a happy baby. But when he's poorly he gets sick very quickly.
"I look at him and I can't even explain how he makes me feel. I just try to cherish every day with him and try to give him the best that we can and spend as much happy time as I can with him."
Lucy said she knew nothing about sepsis before her son's diagnosis and hopes her story can raise awareness of the infection, which can be difficult to detect in people.
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection which happens when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage the body's tissues and organs.
Symptoms can be difficult to spot as there are lots of possible symptoms and symptoms can be vague.
They can also mirror symptoms more commonly associated with an illness, such as a cold, flu, or Covid-19.
It is important to call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
Early symptoms of sepsis in older children and adults may include:
- A high temperature (fever) or low body temperature
- Chills and shivering
- A fast heartbeat
- Fast breathing
It is important to call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
More information about sepsis can be found on the NHS website or the Sepsis Trust charity website.
