In a tale that reads like a medical thriller, an Australian doctor has recounted a brush with death so severe that he was considered clinically dead. Dr. Bradley MacDonald's story is not just a personal account of survival; it's a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which health can deteriorate.

Dr. MacDonald, a pediatrician from Western Australia, found himself in the throes of a life-threatening ordeal in 2020. Initially presenting with what seemed to be flu-like symptoms, heart complications, and low blood pressure, his condition quickly escalated to something far more dire.

Dr Bradley MacDonald, a pediatrician from Western Australia, nearly died from sepsis in 2020. Credit: Freepik

Speaking to news.com.au, Dr. MacDonald, then 32, described the onset of his illness as 'a bit of an unusual one.' The changes observed in his heart monitoring led doctors to suspect that his heart might be the culprit behind his plummeting blood pressure. However, within a mere 24 hours, the medical team realized that Dr. MacDonald was battling sepsis.

Sepsis is a critical and often fatal condition triggered by the body's overzealous immune response to an infection. This response can lead to widespread damage to tissues and organs, and without prompt treatment, can result in death. The source of Dr. MacDonald's infection was a mystery, but it manifested as a flesh-eating superbug that caused multiple muscle infections.

The severity of his condition necessitated several surgical procedures to drain pus and excise the infected tissue, along with a course of antibiotics. During this harrowing time, Dr. MacDonald was placed in a coma, intubated, and separated from his family, including his youngest daughter, who was only six weeks old.

Reflecting on this period, Dr. MacDonald said, 'It was really hectic. Fortunately, I missed most of it being intubated and then being very delirious afterward.' His family, however, bore the emotional brunt of his near-death experience.

After three months in the hospital, which included 35 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), two weeks in a general ward, and five weeks in rehabilitation, Dr. MacDonald emerged profoundly changed. He had lost 22 kilograms and the ability to walk, bearing physical scars and resections in his muscles as testament to his ordeal.

Yet, within six weeks of rehabilitation, he regained his muscle strength and the ability to walk. Four years on from his encounter with sepsis, Dr. MacDonald views life through a different lens. He speaks of an 'existential high' that followed his brush with death and expresses immense gratitude for the chance to witness his family grow.

This experience has reshaped his approach to life and work. 'I often try to remind myself what I’ve been through and how quickly things can change in life,' he shared. Now, he finds his work in medicine and time with his family more rewarding and is more selective about how he chooses to spend his time.

Dr. MacDonald's story is not just a personal triumph; it's a cautionary tale that highlights the prevalence and danger of sepsis. According to the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), sepsis is alarmingly common, with an Australian admitted to ICU every 20 minutes due to this condition. In the last year alone, there were 26,300 ICU admissions for sepsis in Australia, accounting for 15% of all ICU admissions.

Professor Ed Litton, an Intensive Care Specialist and ANZICS Registry Director, emphasizes that early recognition is key. 'Sepsis doesn’t have to mean a death sentence,' he states. 'When recognised early in patients, sepsis can be entirely treatable.' However, despite advancements in medical science, there have been no new treatments for sepsis in the past 30 years.

Dr. MacDonald's survival story is a powerful reminder for all of us, especially those in the over-60s community, to be vigilant about our health. It's crucial to be aware of the signs of sepsis, which can include fever, chills, rapid breathing, and heart rate, pain or discomfort, and confusion or disorientation, among others.

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, especially following an infection or injury, seek medical attention immediately. Early intervention can mean the difference between life and death.

Key Takeaways

• Dr Bradley MacDonald, a pediatrician from Western Australia, had a near-death experience with sepsis in 2020.
• He developed multiple muscle infections from a flesh-eating superbug, resulting in months of hospitalisation and a profound physiological and emotional impact on him and his family.
• Dr MacDonald's recovery was difficult; he lost 22kg and had to rebuild his ability to walk, but he gained a new perspective on life and an appreciation for his opportunity to watch his family grow.
• Sepsis is a critical and potentially fatal condition that affects many Australians, with recent data indicating it accounts for 15% of all ICU admissions in the country.

We invite you, our readers, to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you or someone you know been affected by sepsis? How has it changed your perspective on health and life? Your stories can help raise awareness and potentially save lives.

 

[Jo Piper3]

My Mother contracted sepsis while in hospital and died due to this in 2019.

 

[Iris]

I recently had Sepsis, I lost about 12 hours of which I have no recollection. I awoke about 2am to use the toilet, went back to bed then about a half hour later rushed to the bathroom again and was violently ill along with diahrea. Went back to bed and began to shake uncontrollably. My hubby called for an ambulance. I have no recollection of getting into the ambulance or the hospital. I was told that I had Sepsis caused by cellulitis in my left leg. I spent 9 days in hospital on 4 hourly intravenous antibiotics, followed by another 2 weeks of oral antibiotics. My skin is still peeling as though I had sunburn.

 

[Dynamo]

I recently had Sepsis, I lost about 12 hours of which I have no recollection. I awoke about 2am to use the toilet, went back to bed then about a half hour later rushed to the bathroom again and was violently ill along with diahrea. Went back to bed and began to shake uncontrollably. My hubby called for an ambulance. I have no recollection of getting into the ambulance or the hospital. I was told that I had Sepsis caused by cellulitis in my left leg. I spent 9 days in hospital on 4 hourly intravenous antibiotics, followed by another 2 weeks of oral antibiotics. My skin is still peeling as though I had sunburn.

Scary!! So pleased you lived to warn us. We will be vigilant when loved ones are this ill.

 

[Penny4]

My son contracted cellulitus in his calf and another time on his arm. It's not uncommon when playing sport on a field. It's due to a small cut anywhere and a bacterial germ from the dirt enters the tissues. It was extremely scary as the red ring moves upwards rapidly before your eyes. He had it twice and both times I drove him straight to the emergency ward where they quickly gave him an antibiotic jab in his backside. He then took antibiotic tablets. I take my hat off to the emergency ward as twice they acted swiftly. My son always says it was the most painful thing he ever had. Thankfully, he prevented sepsis.

 

[MariaG]

My hubby collapsed in the bathroom one evening and couldn't be moved.
Called the ambulance, who found out he was undergoing cancer treatment. So, they took him to the local cancer hospital.
I got there to be by his side, they said they could not cope with his condition and it was dire. So, he was transferred to the John Hunter hospital. They found out he had a major infection in his kidneys because of a stone blocking the passageway (layman's speak). When they operated, the stone moved and all the infection coursed through his body like a steam train. Septic shock was the diagnosis and they treated it like a death sentence. It very nearly was.
He ended up in ICU in an induced coma. I was told to contact the family as they were not sure he would survive the next 24 hours. Well, he battled on. 4 days later he opened his eyes, the next day the tubes came out, then he spent another 3 weeks in hospital. The first words he spoke were....why did you try and shove my head in the toilet? My darling was back.
It was horrible to watch him in that bed, day after day, night after night...but while he was breathing, there was hope.
Septic shock is something I had not witnessed before and I hope I never have to see it again.

 

[Luckyus]

An Australian doctor has recounted a brush with death
So severe that he was considered clinically dead.
He voted Labour?

 

[Hollingworthlake]

Really frightening to read these stories but important to know about sepsis.

 

[Hollingworthlake]

Also thankful to be reminded of it and reminds us to be vigilant