From Heart Failure to Haute Couture: My Journey of Survival and Style
From Festival Fun to Life-Saving Flight: A Harrowing Medical Journey
I was enjoying a music festival when suddenly, I felt very ill. Initially, I thought it was just a common chest infection, so I went home and visited the doctor.
I was told to rest, but little did I know what was around the corner. My condition worsened rapidly, and I was rushed to the hospital.
Little did I know what was in store for me
A long struggle loomed
The doctors at the hospital realized the severity of my situation and decided to airlift me to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne that very day. Had I not been flown out, I wouldn't have survived.
Facing Challenges: Life with a VAD during my wait for a heart transplant
A ventricular assist device (VAD) helps pump blood the heart to the rest of the body for patients awaiting a heart transplant. I had to keep a VAD for 18 months while for my heart transplant.
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Showering was a monumental task. My mum had to meticulously tape around my stomach before every shower, ensuring that the VAD cord remained dry. This routine turned a simple daily ritual into a time-consuming and stressful ordeal.
As a young woman in my 20s, my social life and sense of style were severely impacted. While my peers dressed up effortlessly, my wardrobe was confined to t-shirts. Silky dresses and any fashionable attire were out of the question, making it almost impossible to dress up for special occasions. The desire to feel stylish and confident often led me to stay home, avoiding social gatherings where I might feel out of place.
Moreover, the burden of carrying heavy batteries in a handbag added another layer of difficulty. Every trip outside the house required lugging around this essential yet cumbersome gear. This weighty responsibility made leaving home an exhausting and challenging experience, further isolating me from the outside world.
The bag here is carrying a ventricular assist device which kept me alive for over 18 months while awaiting a heart transplant
18 Months Later
I finally received a long awaited heart transplant
After receiving my heart transplant, I underwent weekly biopsies to check for rejection, which eventually became monthly. I was also confined to a wheelchair and had to go through three months of rehabilitation until I was healthy enough to return home and live independently.
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During this period, I discovered my love for fashion. Determined not to waste another day in bed, I wanted to share my passion for fashion with the world.
Embracing Life: My Journey to Achieving My Fashion Dreams
Going through this made me realize how short life is and that I shouldn't waste time going after my dreams.
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I finished my courses at the Australian Style Institute and got a Certificate in Personal Styling and an Advanced Certificate in Fashion Styling and Editorial Editing.
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I joined photoshoots where I got to pick the outfits, settings, and accessories, showing off my creativity and attention to detail.
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Also, I went to runway shows at Melbourne Fashion Week, which made me even more excited about the fashion industry.
Fashion was my lifeline during one of the toughest times of my life. It gave me strength, purpose and hope when I needed it most.
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I'm incredibly proud of the journey I've been on, facing and overcoming monumental odds to achieve my dreams.
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Coming out on top as a fashion stylist, I am now more passionate than ever to share my love for fashion with the world. The lessons I’ve learned and the resilience I’ve built are all part of the story I’m excited to tell through my work. Fashion is not just what I do—it's who I am, and I can't wait to inspire others with my journey.