Childbirth comes with risks that expectant mothers are warned about, but it’s hard to fully comprehend the fear until it happens to you. Krystina Pacheco, a mother from Texas, underwent a C-section to welcome her daughter Amelia, only to face a life-threatening ordeal during her recovery.
Despite a seemingly uneventful delivery, Pacheco soon found herself feeling unwell and experiencing fever, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Concerned, she sought medical attention, which led to her being rushed to the emergency room and later airlifted to another hospital due to septic shock, a dangerous condition that occurs when the body aggressively responds to an infection. Her experience serves as a reminder of how quickly things can take a turn for the worse, and of the importance of seeking medical attention when something feels off.
Krystina’s health rapidly declined as septic shock took hold, severely impacting her heart, lungs, and kidneys, leaving her family, especially her devoted husband Jacob, deeply concerned and distraught. Although the medical staff hesitated to reveal how close Krystina was to death, it was apparent in their expressions each time Jacob inquired. The daunting realization that Krystina had only a 20% chance of survival added to the family’s anxiety and uncertainty during this trying time.
Before slipping into unconsciousness, Krystina’s last memory was of her husband’s urgent plea for her to return to their family.
“Please come back to us, please, your babies need you. I need you. I need you to be here and help me with our babies,” he whispered into her ear.
During her hospitalization, Jacob had the added responsibility of caring for their newborn daughter and young son while Krystina fought for her life. He leaned on the support of his family and friends to navigate this challenging time, and their unwavering presence gave him the hope and strength he needed to persevere through the uncertainty of Krystina’s condition. Jacob described the experience as
“living just day by day, just trying to take care of Krystina.”
After giving birth to her daughter Amelia via C-section, Krystina Pacheco’s recovery was not as smooth as she had hoped. She spent the first two weeks in the intensive care unit receiving treatment for a life-threatening condition. However, in mid-November, her condition improved, and doctors removed her breathing tube, allowing her to speak again. This was a significant turning point for Krystina and her family, giving them a glimmer of hope that she would eventually recover from her illness.
“When she spoke to me for the first time after her breathing tube was removed, she asked, ‘What happened to me? Did I almost die?’” recalls her husband Jacob. “And we had a moment of tears — tears of sadness, tears of joy, just a bunch of emotions coming over us.”
As a mother-to-be, Krystina was aware of the risks that came with childbirth, but her own experience taught her that the fear never truly hits home until it happens to you. Krystina’s story is a testament to her bravery and resilience in the face of adversity, and it highlights how quickly things can take a turn for the worse after giving birth. Despite the challenges she faced, Krystina remained determined to recover and be there for her family.
According to Jacob, the doctors had given her only a 20% chance of survival, which was a daunting realization for him. The experience was terrifying for the family, with anxiety and uncertainty surrounding them. Krystina’s last memory before losing consciousness was of her husband’s desperate plea for her to recover and be there for their children.
“When she was finally able to speak again, the first thing she said to me was, ‘What happened to me? Did I almost die?’” Jacob remembered. “We both had tears in our eyes – tears of sadness and tears of joy – as we processed all the emotions that were running through us.”
Krystina Pacheco faced the most challenging obstacle of her life after waking up from a medically induced coma, as she was informed that she would have to undergo amputation of her hands and feet due to the damage caused by her intensive care unit treatment.
She described her hands and feet as black, indicating the severity of the situation. Pacheco admitted that her medical team did everything in their power to avoid amputation, but the damage was irreversible. She emotionally shared that she was “just breaking down and feeling absolutely crushed.”
Pacheco underwent a series of surgeries after her amputations, enduring a long journey. However, she persevered with unwavering strength, driven by her love for her babies, whom she thought of every day. Pacheco is currently working out at home to rebuild her physical strength and will soon undergo outpatient rehabilitation to increase her independence in daily tasks. She acknowledged that it’s a roller coaster and she has her bad days, but she remains motivated by small achievements, such as caring for her children and herself.
Although settling back into home life has brought new challenges, Pacheco remains grateful for her ability to care for her children and herself. She takes life one day at a time and stays positive by sticking together with her family. “It’s not easy, and it’s not going to be easy, but if we’re sticking together, it makes it that much better,” she said.