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Newlywed survives sepsis after life-threatening infection during Jamaican honeymoon

Monday, 26 May 2025 12:10AM UTC

A London bride feared dead with just two hours to live after developing a severe groin abscess and sepsis during her wedding trip in Jamaica. Her harrowing ordeal, shared on TikTok, highlights the dangers of delayed medical care and risks of flying while critically ill.

A woman's dream wedding in Jamaica took a harrowing turn when she developed a life-threatening medical condition just days after her nuptials. Newlywed Sarah, hailing from London, bravely shared her ordeal on TikTok, recounting the terrifying moments when doctors informed her that she had merely two hours to live.

In her candid four-part video series, Sarah described experiencing severe pain in her groin during her wedding ceremony, only to find the situation escalating into a medical crisis the following day. By morning, she noticed a disturbing lump that stretched from her hip to her vaginal area, which rapidly worsened over the next few days. “I can say that the pain was worse than any of the three children that I have had. It was agony,” she expressed. Despite her escalating condition, Sarah chose not to seek treatment in Jamaica, fearing that its medical facilities were not suitable, given her family circumstances.

As her pain intensified, she was unable to walk unaided by the end of the trip, leading to a poignant moment when she insisted to her husband, Luke, that they leave for the airport despite hotel staff's concerns for her well-being. "I'm fine just drive," she recalled telling them as she boarded a bus, moments before nearly collapsing from the pain. Thankfully, her friend arranged for a wheelchair at the airport, allowing her to board the flight back to the UK.

The ten-hour flight to Gatwick was agonizing; Sarah's condition deteriorated, and upon arrival, emergency services were waiting to assist her. A CT scan revealed she had developed sepsis, a severe response to infection, triggered by an abscess in her groin. The urgency of her condition was underscored when doctors indicated that she had been “roughly two hours from dying” upon admission.

Sarah's experience sheds light on the realities of sepsis, a risk exacerbated by misdiagnosis and delayed intervention. Sepsis can arise from various medical issues, including abscesses, as seen in other cases where timely diagnosis was critical for survival. In particular, an iliopsoas abscess has been documented as a rare but serious cause of postpartum sepsis, highlighting the importance of immediate medical attention in similar scenarios.

Having undergone surgery to remove the abscess, Sarah is now facing further operations, as her medical team left her intestines secured only temporarily, fearing a recurrence of the sepsis. In her TikTok series, she reflected, “Tomorrow I have to go back in for another operation because they didn't close me back up in case the sepsis comes back, so currently my intestines are being held together by tape."

The response from the public has been a mix of sympathy and disbelief, with many questioning her decision to fly while in such pain. Comments ranged from supportive messages wishing her a speedy recovery to concerned reactions emphasising the risks of flying with an undiagnosed condition. One user poignantly stated, "I know you wanted to get to the UK but do you realise how utterly bonkers it is to fly with such pain?"

Sarah's story is a stark reminder of the potential severity of infections like sepsis and the importance of recognising symptoms early. With proper medical care, many patients have recovered from similar experiences, though they often underscore the necessity for quick action and informed decisions about medical treatment.

As she continues her recovery, Sarah's tale of resilience and survival resonates with many who have faced similar health crises. The widespread reaction to her videos not only illustrates the public's empathy but also a growing awareness of the dangers posed by infections that, if unchecked, can spiral into life-threatening conditions.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14747293/Newlywed-woman-reveals-dream-wedding-Jamaica-turned-nightmare-developed-rare-medical-condition-doctors-gave-two-hours-live.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989774/ - This article discusses a case of iliopsoas abscess, an uncommon cause of postpartum sepsis. A 31-year-old woman presented with severe left-sided lower abdominal pain and fever four weeks postpartum. Despite initial treatments, her condition worsened, leading to a CT scan that revealed a left iliopsoas abscess extending into the left groin. The abscess was drained percutaneously, and the patient made a full recovery after a five-day hospital stay. The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing this rare condition and the importance of timely intervention.
https://www.improvediagnosis.org/stories_posts/post-surgery-discovery-sarah-kiehls-story/ - Sarah Kiehl underwent a routine laparoscopic hysterectomy following years of endometriosis. Post-surgery, she experienced high fever, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain, leading to a CT scan that identified an infected abscess from the hysterectomy. Despite initial treatments, her condition deteriorated, requiring emergency surgery to drain the abscess and address internal bleeding. Diagnosed with Strep A, she received multiple surgeries and a blood transfusion. After 13 days in the hospital, Sarah was discharged with home care, reflecting on the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
https://sepsistrust.org/sepsisvoices/andy/ - Andy developed sepsis after an itchy knee led to severe leg inflammation. Initially dismissing the symptoms, he was later hospitalized with suspected necrotizing fasciitis. His wife insisted on calling emergency services, leading to timely intervention. Andy's experience underscores the importance of recognizing sepsis symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
https://www.idsociety.org/home-idsa/public-health/patient-stories/addie-rerecich/ - Addie Rerecich, a young girl, developed sepsis from a hip abscess caused by a Staphylococcus infection. The infection led to a blood clot, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure, requiring ECMO support. Despite aggressive treatment, Addie suffered a stroke and lost significant body weight. Her story highlights the severe impact of antibiotic-resistant infections and the critical need for effective treatments.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-13-me-infectionside13-story.html - Alicia Cole underwent routine surgery to remove noncancerous uterine growths. Post-surgery, she developed a red, swollen abdomen and a high fever, leading to a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease. Despite initial misdiagnosis, Alicia underwent multiple surgeries to remove infected tissue. Her case emphasizes the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of severe postoperative infections.
https://www.jems.com/patient-care/a-paramedic-s-repeated-encounters-with-sepsis/ - A paramedic developed an abscess infected with Staphylococcus lugdunensis, leading to sepsis. Despite initial treatment, the infection recurred, requiring hospitalization and further interventions. The paramedic's experience underscores the importance of recognizing sepsis symptoms and the potential for recurrence, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and timely medical response.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents a unique personal account of a woman's medical emergency following her wedding in Jamaica. While similar stories exist, such as a bride experiencing cardiac arrest post-wedding due to a rare condition ([people.com](https://people.com/bride-cardiac-arrest-day-after-wedding-rare-medical-condition-8415956?utm_source=openai)), this specific account appears to be original. The article includes updated data and personal quotes, suggesting a higher freshness score. However, the presence of similar narratives indicates a need for cautious evaluation.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The direct quotes attributed to Sarah, such as her description of the pain being worse than childbirth, are not found in earlier material, indicating originality. The absence of identical quotes elsewhere supports the authenticity of the content.

Source reliability

Score: 4

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a publication known for sensationalist reporting. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The lack of corroboration from other reputable sources further diminishes the trustworthiness of the report.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The account describes a plausible medical scenario involving sepsis following an abscess, a known condition. However, the dramatic tone and lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets raise questions about the accuracy and potential sensationalism of the narrative.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: Despite the narrative's originality and the presence of unique quotes, the Daily Mail's sensationalist reputation and the lack of corroboration from other reputable sources cast significant doubt on the report's reliability. The plausibility of the medical scenario is overshadowed by concerns about accuracy and potential sensationalism.

Sepsis
Medical emergencies
Wedding
Travel health
TikTok