When longtime Spokane resident Ruth Ellsworth went boating with her family one summer weekend, she never imagined a tiny wound on her shin would spiral into a life-threatening medical emergency. Within days, Ruth was fighting sepsis — a condition she admits she had heard of before but never understood the seriousness of.
Ruth’s Life Before Sepsis
Ruth is retired and spends her time volunteering in the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center gift shop and serves as a NICU nanny. She describes these roles as her way of giving back. “I love being around the babies and supporting the nurses,” Ruth said. “It’s the best of both worlds — I get to use my early childhood education degree and organize and help staff where they need it most.”
Ruth also loves playing golf with her husband, volunteering, and traveling to Colorado in the summers.
How It Began
After noticing a small wound on her shin, Ruth cleaned it but didn’t think much of it. By the next day, her leg became red and sore. Soon, she was battling fatigue so severe she could hardly stand. “I didn’t connect the dots between the wound and how tired I was feeling,” Ruth recalls.
She sought treatment at urgent care, where she was prescribed antibiotics. But within a day, her symptoms worsened — vomiting, swelling, extreme fatigue. By Tuesday evening, her son rushed her to Sacred Heart’s emergency department. By then, her blood pressure had plummeted to dangerous levels, and staff recognized that Ruth was septic.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection; it is a life-threatening medical emergency. According to the CDC, sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers a chain reaction throughout the body. Ruth’s condition rapidly worsened, illustrating the urgency of sepsis intervention.
The Fight for Her Life
Ruth spent eight days at Sacred Heart. She describes the incident as the most painful experience of her life: “I couldn’t even put my leg down off the bed without excruciating pain.” Doctors monitored her closely, concerned about possible organ failure and prepared for a transfusion if needed. Thankfully, aggressive IV antibiotics and fluids stabilized her condition.
"Recognizing and treating sepsis promptly can be the difference between life and death,” said Kaylah Ophardt, manager of quality. “Our emergency department staff have implemented a Level One Sepsis Response that enhances our ability to quickly detect and effectively treat sepsis and septic shock, prioritizing timely intervention to save lives."
Ruth credits her survival to her overall good health, the hospital’s care once she was admitted to triage, and the support she received from both her medical team and friends — especially one close friend, a rehabilitation therapist, who stepped in after Ruth’s discharge to help her recover at home.
Recovery and Reflection
Even after leaving the hospital, Ruth faced weeks of swelling and an infection in her leg. She relied on compression socks, massage therapy from her friend, and even swimming to regain her strength. Today, she’s back to her active life of volunteering and traveling, though she carries the reminder of her battle in slight discoloration around her ankle.
Looking back, Ruth says the biggest lesson is the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of sepsis early:
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Confusion or disorientation
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Fever, shivering or feeling very cold
• High heart rate or weak pulse
• Shortness of breath
“I should have gone to the hospital on Sunday when I first noticed the redness,” Ruth said. “Instead, I didn’t get treated until Tuesday night. A lot can happen in that time. My message is simple: pay attention to your body and be your own advocate.”
Ruth now shares her story as part of the Washington Hospital Association’s Sepsis Advisory Board, where she serves as a survivor voice. She hopes her experience can save others. “Sepsis can come from something as small as a wound, or from a UTI or other infection,” Ruth said. “People need to know the signs and act quickly. Awareness can save lives.”
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