What began as shoulder pain on her wedding day turned into a life-or-death battle for a Midlands bride, who spent what should have been her honeymoon fighting sepsis in intensive care.
Charlotte Jones, a 32-year-old from Birmingham, initially dismissed her discomfort as wedding day nerves or muscle strain. But within hours of saying "I do," her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to an emergency hospital dash that revealed the terrifying truth.
The Wedding Day Warning Signs
"I just put it down to stress and carrying my dress," Charlotte recalled. "Every bride expects some aches on their big day, but this was different."
As the reception continued, Charlotte's pain intensified dramatically. Concerned guests noticed she was becoming increasingly unwell, with symptoms that extended far beyond ordinary muscle soreness.
From Celebration to Critical Care
By the time Charlotte reached hospital, medical staff recognised the classic signs of sepsis - a life-threatening condition where the body attacks its own tissues and organs in response to an infection.
"They told me if I'd waited until morning, I might not have made it," she revealed, the memory still raw. "My wedding night was spent in ICU, hooked up to machines instead of celebrating with my new husband."
The Hidden Danger of Sepsis
Sepsis affects approximately 250,000 people in the UK annually, with around 50,000 deaths. Early recognition is crucial for survival, yet many people dismiss the initial symptoms.
Key sepsis symptoms include:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- Mottled or discoloured skin
A New Beginning After Trauma
After a prolonged recovery, Charlotte is now using her experience to raise awareness about sepsis recognition. "I want other people to trust their instincts when something feels wrong with their body," she emphasised.
Her message to others is clear: "Don't dismiss persistent pain or unusual symptoms. That wedding could have been my funeral instead of the beginning of my marriage."
