Sarah Kempinska had been planning her wedding for two years, but just days before the big day no one knew if she would make it.
She was intubated and in a medically induced coma in the Critical Care and Trauma Centre (CCTC) at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) after experiencing complications from a surgery to manage an autoimmune condition.
In 2015, Kempinska was diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) a rare disease that inflames tissues and blood vessels within organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and sinuses. Her inflammation happens in the lungs, making it difficult for her to breath.
There are treatments to help with GPA symptoms, in Kempinska's case it comes in the form of surgery to remove the growths to open up her airways.
Following surgeries in the past, everything was straightforward and she was discharged the same day. Her most recent surgery was different.
"When I breathed in, I could hear a pop sound, and I was struggling to take breaths in and out," she said.
Kempinska went to the emergency department at Victoria Hospital and was quickly triaged.
She was admitted to the Thoracic unit for monitoring after an oxygen intervention, but her breathing worsened and her care team were worried about her airway collapsing.
At this point, she was taken to the operating room (OR) and then transferred to the CCTC where she spent five days intubated and in a medically induced coma, and six days total.
"The doctors and staff were great during the entire process, keeping us informed of Sarah’s condition and being compassionate in their approach. They were so reassuring during such a vulnerable time," said Kempinska's sister, Anna, who is a doctor herself.
While she was unconscious Kempinska contracted pneumonia, which is not uncommon for intubated patients, but the breathing tube had to be kept in place while she recovered.
While she was being treated, Kempinska's family continued to work on her wedding plans, hoping she would be able to make it down the aisle.
She was released on May 30, just a few days before her wedding.
"Despite needing some assistance, I was able to walk down the aisle to marry Jim – and I was able to dance a little," she shared.
Kempinska is feeling much better.
"I still get tired and dizzy sometimes, but overall I’m feeling really good," she said. "I’m back to work full-time and I know that the incredible doctors and staff have a lot to do with that. They were attentive and committed to helping me get better and were kind and patient when working with me to get me walking again after intubation."
She added that one of her nurses wrote her a letter to be opened on her wedding day, "I took it to the venue and during a quiet moment, I read it. It was so meaningful and kind of them to take the time to write that – I ended up getting it framed!"
Kempinska’s follow up and continuing care will now be done jointly between LHSC and her other care centre.
