A WOMAN has paid tribute to hospital staff who saved her life when a stent removal became septic - and led to sepsis.

Helen Bright, 62, of Lottem Road, Canvey, went into Southend Hospital on April 10 to have a stent - a tube - removed from her kidney.

Mrs Bright had the surgery and was expecting to spend a night in hospital before she would be discharged.

However, the kidney became septic - which can be fatal - and she had to be rushed back into surgery.

Mrs Bright said: “I was taken straight into the critical care ward and I was taken straight back into surgery by the doctors to try and save my life.

“There were eight people around me trying to help.

“The doctor came out to tell my husband I was in a serious condition and my whole family quickly came to the hospital.”

Surgeons worked quickly to treat Mrs Bright, but there were genuine fears she may not make it.

Following a lengthy surgery, Mrs Bright was placed in an induced coma.

She said: “I obviously do not remember anything that happened.

“I think I was in the coma for around three or four days while they continued to treat me.

“Everyone was so afraid of what might happen.

“I had only gone in for a simple surgery and lots of others had come in just like me, but I was just unlucky.”

Mrs Bright finally woke up three days later and she was amazed she was still alive.

She said: “It still makes me emotional just thinking about it.

“I just felt so lucky, a lot of people do not make it when sepsis affects them and despite the efforts of many hospitals, they are not successful.

“I still pinch myself every day that I am even here, I cannot believe it.”

Mrs Bright was finally discharged from the hospital on Saturday April 21.

Gill Donohue, senior nurse on the critical care unit, was thrilled to receive the feedback.

She said: “We have extremely dedicated staff who work hard to provide compassionate care for all our patients and we’re always grateful to receive positive feedback on the care we provide.

“We’re pleased that Helen made such a good recovery and thank her for her kind words.

“We’ll pass on her thanks to the rest of the team.”