Aussie couple's dream anniversary trip to Vegas turns to holiday from hell
- 'Toxic shock' causes anniversary nightmare
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An Aussie couple are stranded in Las Vegas on what was supposed to be a romantic holiday following a rare life-threatening diagnosis.
Rachel Hodgkinson, 53, and Darryl Kelcey, 56, both appeared to be in good health when they arrived in Los Angeles on January 20.
The Adelaide couple then travelled to Las Vegas to celebrate Mr Kelcey's 56th birthday and their tenth wedding anniversary.
The celebrations turned on January 30 after Ms Hodginson slipped in the shower of their hotel room.
The pharmacy assistant and support worker, who had not used the toilet in five days came out looking yellow.
Her worried husband said that she couldn't understand what he was saying or be able to tell him what was wrong.
'She was weak, shaking, couldn't hold her own body weight, couldn't stand up, so I helped her to the bed,' Mr Kelcey told The Advertiser.
He initially feared she was suffering a stroke.
Rachel Hodgkinson was left fighting for life with a rare disease on her dream anniversary holiday
Rachel Hodgkinson, 53, and Darryl Kelcey, 56, arrived in Los Angeles on January 20 before a life-threatening bout with toxic shock ruined their holiday
She was rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Centre, where she ended up in intensive care after she deteriorated to a non-verbal non-communicative state.
Doctors told an anguished Mr Kelcey his wife had 'toxic shock', a rare and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
Toxins had built up in her body and sent her into a state of delusions.
Mr Kelcey said that his wife didn't know who she was or where she was and feared that she wouldn't survive.
'I thought, this is not happening, she was in such a bad way,' he recalled.
Eleven days on, Ms Hodgkinson is still in hospital, where's she's expected to remain for another fortnight.
She has regained some brain function, can speak clearly and identify herself and her husband.
Mr Kelcey is bracing for a massive hospital bill which he fears he may never be able to pay off.
The pair have been left financially crippled after they were snubbed by health insurers and left at the mercy of the US healthcare system
The couple's travel insurance has refused to cover Ms Hodgkinson's treatment, her husband claimed.
Family friend Savannah Parry has organised a fundraiser for the couple in the hope of easing the financial burden on the couple.
'Her partner is struggling to pay the hospital bills and travel to get her home,' she wrote online.
'He is extremely stressed out. Please help Rachel get home and back to her family in an environment that is familiar.'
Mr Kelcey provided a heartwarming update on the fundraiser on Monday to say his wife is improving on a daily basis.
'Doctors are doing all they can to get her well enough to fly home,' he added.
