September is Sepsis Awareness Month.  Sepsis is the third preventable cause of death in the US and is prevalent in other countries as well. My sepsis experience was a year ago. I was recovering from kidney stone surgery and wasn't feeling so good and thought I would just get some bed rest. However, when I sat on the edge of my bed, I felt...something was just not right. I could not explain it but I knew something was different, something was wrong. I got up and called my surgeons office and was directed to go to the ER. I did and from there I was admitted in less than an hour.  My point here if it doesn't feel right and your health care provider is not on board as mine was, thankfully question them and go to the ER anyway and ask them to rule out sepsis.  I did not have a high fever, I was not confused at that time. What was wrong was my blood pressure was rapidly declining. My  SEPSIS journey in the hospital consisted of acute renal failure and a mental status change as the sepsis crossed the blood brain barrier. I had blisters all over my extremities that thankfully left as soon as they showed up. I slept most of the time and was monitored closely, narrowly avoiding a blood transfusion and a vent. I had multiple IVs, heart monitor and supervision.  It takes time to heal from that. Many people have PTSD and or Post sepsis syndrome. It takes a lot out of you and it takes a lot to get it back. It takes grit when you have zero energy or desire. Take a shower, take a walk if you are fortunate enough to not have any amputations. Do what you can, when you can. Set daily goals as you gain strength, both mental and physical to return to your prior level of functioning or your max potential with some healthy lifestyle changes. Some days just suck, so listen to your body as it recovers and do what you can when you can, but do it. Do it scared but live less out of habit and more with intention. Intention is a mindfulness practice.