An Australian woman is currently on life support in Vietnam following serious complications from a cosmetic procedure. Chloe Mowday, 31, underwent surgery for rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty in Da Nang, a popular tourist destination, but started to show signs of severe illness shortly after the procedures.
Chloe traveled to Vietnam with her husband, Josh Mowday, and their youngest son, Elijah, as part of a family holiday that included planned visits to Disneyland in Hong Kong and Universal Studios in Singapore. After spending a night at a local clinic, she was sent back to her hotel the following morning.
According to her brother, Rod Mowday, Chloe began to feel unwell a few hours later, experiencing pain beyond the surgical site. “She started to feel strange and had a bit of pain in other areas besides the surgery site,” Rod explained to news.com.au. “A few hours later when Josh came to check on her, she wasn’t responding well – then she stopped breathing.” Rod suspects that Chloe may have suffered from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare and life-threatening condition, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Chloe is currently in the intensive care unit at a local hospital, where she has undergone dialysis and received a blood transfusion as her condition worsened. “Her blood pressure got so low her feet and fingers turned black,” Rod said. As of the latest updates, she remains on life support, with doctors struggling to stabilize her condition.
Rod rushed to Vietnam with his 16-year-old daughter upon receiving news of his sister’s critical state. “I was absolutely mortified when he told me what had happened,” he said. He described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that doctors could not provide a clear prognosis due to legal constraints. “What I saw was just heartbreaking,” he remarked after visiting Chloe, who was unresponsive and surrounded by medical equipment.
The Mowday family is now faced with mounting medical expenses, including a quoted $228,000 for a medical evacuation to Australia. In light of the financial burden, they have initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has thus far raised over $15,000. Rod expressed gratitude for the support received, highlighting the kindness of strangers, including a generous donation of $2,000 from a supporter named Brian Fisher.
The family has also sought assistance from the Australian embassy in Vietnam. A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that consular support includes liaising with local hospitals and authorities. “Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment,” they stated.
Chloe’s family is hopeful that she will be cleared to fly home in the coming month. Rod emphasized the importance of returning Chloe to Australia for further treatment, stating that she has a better chance of recovery at home. “The doctors have informed us that she has a better chance of getting through this at home in Australia,” he said.
As the family navigates this challenging situation, they remain committed to ensuring Chloe receives the care she needs to recover. A police investigation has also been initiated to examine the circumstances surrounding her medical complications, although the name of the clinic involved has not been disclosed.
