43 ~ Emily's Journey of Survival and Strength through Chronic illness and Infant Loss

* Trigger warning: Still birth/infant loss * In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Emily, a courageous woman who faced unimaginable challenges during her pregnancy journey in 2022. What started as excruciating pains in her stomach and back, while being just under 7 months pregnant turned into a harrowing ordeal that would test her resilience in ways she never imagined. Emily recounts the agonizing seven days she spent in the maternity ward, crying out for help. Despite her pleas, the medical staff failed to recognise the severity of her condition until it was too late. Tragically, Emily went into cardiac arrest, and her daughter, Macie, passed away in the womb, delivered stillborn. Miraculously Emily was brought back to life and underwent emergency surgery to address a twisted bowel. The extent of the damage was severe, with most of her long and short bowel removed, leaving her with only a fraction of her intestines intact. Placed in an induced coma, Emily faced a long road to recovery, enduring multiple surgeries and relying on TPN (tube feeding) to sustain her. Throughout her journey, Emily battled not only physical pain but also the emotional toll of losing her daughter and grappling with a chronic illness called Small Bowel Syndrome. Despite the bleak prognosis from doctors, Emily's spirit remained strong. With unwavering determination, she faced each day head-on. Join us as Emily shares her inspiring story of survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest of times. Her journey serves as a reminder that, even in our darkest moments, there is always hope and the possibility of finding light at the end of the tunnel. 🌸Use the code ⁠⁠⁠WILDBLOOM⁠⁠⁠ at checkout for 20% off your purchase at : ⁠⁠⁠wearewild.com⁠⁠⁠ to buy your own natural deodorant, body wash, or soap that is good for the environment and good for your skin! 🌸 💗 Thank you so much for being here on this adventure with me! 💗 - Hayley xo ✨ Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforeyoubloom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✨ The Before You Bloom Podcast is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I would like to recognise their continuing connection to land, water, and culture and pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people listening today.