An Australian woman is currently on life support in Vietnam after suffering severe complications following a cosmetic procedure. Chloe Mowday, 31, underwent surgery in Da Nang, a popular coastal city. She had planned the trip with her husband, Josh Mowday, and their youngest son, Elijah, with additional stops at Disneyland in Hong Kong and Universal Studios in Singapore.
Chloe was scheduled for a rhinoplasty and a blepharoplasty, both procedures typically considered safe. However, her condition rapidly deteriorated the morning after her operations. According to her brother, Rod Mowday, she was initially taken back to her hotel after a night at a clinic but soon began to feel unwell. “She started to feel strange and had a bit of pain in other areas besides the surgery site,” Rod explained. Shortly after, she became unresponsive and stopped breathing, leading to a medical emergency.
Rod suspects that Chloe may have developed Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious condition often caused by bacterial infections, although this has yet to be confirmed. Currently, Chloe is undergoing a series of tests to determine the exact cause of her illness, with a police investigation into the matter also taking place.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Chloe is now on dialysis, has required a blood transfusion, and is receiving medication to stabilize her blood pressure, which had dropped dangerously low. Rod shared, “Her feet and fingers turned black,” indicating the severity of her condition. Following a distressing call from his brother-in-law, Rod flew to Vietnam with his 16-year-old daughter to support his sister during this critical time.
Seeing Chloe in the hospital was devastating for Rod. “The doctors said she is very strong, but when I asked if she is going to make it, they couldn’t give me a straightforward answer,” he said. Despite the uncertainty, he noted that the medical staff has been attentive and caring. During his five-day visit, Rod was allowed to see Chloe for only 15 minutes a day. “What I saw was just heartbreaking. She was not awake, she had tubes coming out of her,” he recalled.
After initially attempting to bring Chloe out of an induced coma, doctors found she was unable to handle the process, leading to her being placed back into the coma. As of the latest updates, she remains on life support but has opened her eyes, although she cannot respond.
Rod has expressed concerns about the risks associated with Chloe remaining in the hospital in Vietnam, including the potential for infections that could impede her recovery. “So we have decided to try to bring her back home,” he stated. The family hopes she will be cleared for travel within the next month and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses, including an estimated $228,000 for a medical evacuation flight.
Rod mentioned that the family takes pride in their independence and initially hesitated to seek help. “We are proud people and didn’t want to have to ask for help,” he said. However, the escalating medical costs forced them to reach out to the community. So far, over $15,000 has been raised, with one generous donor contributing $2,000.
The family is also coordinating with the Australian embassy for assistance with the transfer back to Perth. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they are providing consular assistance to Australians in Vietnam, which may include liaising with local hospitals and authorities.
Rod emphasized the urgency of bringing Chloe home, stating, “The doctors have informed us that she has a better chance of getting through this at home in Australia.” He described Chloe as “such a beautiful girl and a loving soul,” noting her dedication to her three young children and husband, who have been by her side throughout this ordeal. The family is also exploring options for bank loans and accessing superannuation to address the mounting medical costs.
A police report has been filed by the hospital to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chloe’s complications, contributing to the decision not to disclose the name of the clinic where she received treatment.
