A 24-year-old Australian woman, Christine Visnijic, has died unexpectedly just one month after returning from a dream holiday in Japan.
Her sudden passing has left her family and friends in shock, and a community is now rallying around them to help with funeral expenses.
What Happened?
Christine woke up on January 10 with severe pain in her leg, which was also red and swollen.
Her dad rushed her to the hospital, but things took a turn for the worse on the way there.
She started vomiting, had a seizure, and fell unconscious.
An ambulance arrived soon after and rushed her to the hospital, where doctors were able to stabilize her and run scans.
A Devastating Diagnosis
The scans revealed that Christine had suffered a bilateral stroke after a blood clot in her leg traveled to her heart and brain.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she was declared brain dead after 72 hours, and her family was forced to make the difficult decision to turn off her life support.
Suspected Cause of Death
While the exact cause of death has not been determined, Christine’s brother Jason suspects that she may have suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after her long flight.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the body’s deep veins, usually in the legs, and can be triggered by long periods of immobility.
Travellers who have been on a plane for longer than eight hours are at higher risk of developing DVT.
A Community Comes Together
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a headstone in Christine’s name, and so far, they have raised over $10,000.
The outpouring of support is a testament to the impact Christine had on those around her.
As her brother Jason wrote on the GoFundMe page, “She was 24 years young and had no warning of such an event… despite all of the help that could be offered from the best available medical facilities and professionals, her life could not be saved.”
This tragic story highlights the importance of being aware of the risks of DVT, especially for young and healthy individuals who may not think they are at risk.
If you or someone you know has experienced a similar situation, share your story in the comments below.