A Texas nurse's dream honeymoon in Japan has turned into a nightmare after she suffered acute liver failure just two days into the trip, requiring an emergency medical evacuation back to the United States.
Sarah Danh, 27, was hospitalised in critical care for nearly two weeks before being flown home on a medical evacuation flight that landed in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday night, according to reports. Her husband, Luke Gradl, 28, accompanied her on the flight, while her mother, Le Le, who had travelled to Japan for moral support, returned separately.
Danh and Gradl had been married for just a week when they set off on what they described as their “dream honeymoon trip” to Japan. The couple, from Texas, were excited to explore a new country and make memories as newlyweds, but their holiday was cut short when Danh suddenly became ill and was rushed to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with acute liver failure.
A GoFundMe page set up to cover medical expenses notes that in Japan, hospital bills must be paid in full or treatment is stopped, adding an extra layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation. The fundraiser has raised over $175,000 (£140,000) to date. An update on the page revealed that Danh will require a liver transplant.
In a statement, Danh and her family thanked the medical teams in Japan and the AirMed evacuation team for their care and swift action. “Knowing she was going into such good hands brought us peace during a very uncertain time,” they said. The couple also expressed gratitude for the support they have received from donors and well-wishers.
