An Australian woman is fighting for her life in Vietnam after a cosmetic procedure went horribly wrong.
Chloe Mowday, 31, had traveled to the hotspot with her husband Josh and youngest son Elijah, with the trio also planning to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong and Universal Studios in Singapore.
During their time in Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, Chloe was booked to undergo a rhinoplasty (reshape/repair the nose) and a blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of eyelids – both generally considered safe and straightforward procedures.
However, the following morning, the mother of three started to feel gravely ill and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
“She stayed at a clinic in Da Nang overnight and the following morning they took her back to her hotel,” Rod, Chloe’s brother told news.com.au.
“A few hours later she started to deteriorate.
“She started to feel strange and had a bit of pain in other areas besides the surgery site, and took the prescribed medication from the doctors, then laid down to rest. A few hours later when Josh came to check on her, she wasn’t responding well – then she stopped breathing and I believe in those few hours her organs had started shutting down quickly.”
Rod believes his sister suffered the rare complication of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) – caused by a bacterial infection, although this has not yet been confirmed.
It is understood Chloe is still undergoing tests to help determine the exact cause, with a police investigation also underway.
“She’s on dialysis, had to have a blood transfusion and is on certain drugs to bring her blood pressure back to normal. It got so low her feet and fingers turned black,” Rod said.
After receiving a call from his brother-in-law, Rod hopped on the first flight to Vietnam with his 16-year-old daughter.
“I was absolutely mortified when he told me what had happened,” he told news.com.au.
“I went straight to Vietnam to see her.”
A tearful Rod said it was heartbreaking to see his “beautiful sister” in such a way.
“The doctors said she is very strong but when I asked if she is going to make it, they couldn’t give me a straightforward answer, obviously for legal reasons,” he said, adding that either way, it was devastating to hear.
Rod was able to visit his sister, who remains in ICU at Da Nang Hospital, for 15 minutes a day for the five days he was in the city.
“What I saw was just heartbreaking. She was not awake, she had tubes coming out of her.”
Rod, who has since returned home to Perth, said the doctors, who have been wonderful, tried to bring Chloe out of the induced coma but weren’t successful.
“They slowly removed the drugs she was on but her body was still unable to handle it and the following day they had put her back into an induced coma,” Rod explained.
“As of last night (Thursday) her eyes are open but she still can’t respond and remains on life support.”
Rod said directive from doctors in Vietnam is if she stays in hospital, there is a heightened risk of infection which may result in hindering her progress.
“So we have decided to try bring her back home,” he said.
The family is hoping she will be given the all-clear to fly in the next month and until then, they have hesitantly started a GoFundMe to help with funds.
“We are proud people and didn’t want to have to ask for help,” Rod said.
However, given the unfolding nature of the situation and mounting medical bills including the $228,000 Medivcac quote to fly her home, the family have had no choice but to reach out to fellow Aussies for a helping hand. So far, just over $15,000 has been raised. One person – Brian Fisher – generously donated $2000.
“I am so thankful for the love and support from everyone. People are just beautiful,” Rod said.
The family have also been in touch with the Australian embassy locally and in Vietnam to assist with transfers to Perth.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian in Vietnam. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told news.com.au.
It is understood consular assistance may include liaison with or visits to local hospitals, liaison with local authorities, provision of lists of medical providers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts.
Rod said his sister is “such a beautiful girl and a loving soul”.
“[She] has three young children and a loving husband who has been by her side since this happened with their five year old son there too,” Rod said on the GoFundMe.
“The doctors have informed us that she has a better chance of getting through this at home in Australia so we are trying to get her home via air ambulance as soon as possible.”
The family are also seeking bank loans and super access to help cover medical costs.
News.com.au understands a police report was filed by the hospital to investigate the matter – forming part of the reason the name of the clinic has not been revealed.
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