HUMANS OF THE HOSPITAL: Jennifer Thow

“I died. I had a rectal bleed which caused me to lose a lot of blood, and I suffered a cardiac arrest following a blood transfusion.

They didn’t know if I was going to wake up, be in a vegetative state, wake up but have cognitive issues or be totally fine.

I had a vision that I was sitting on a big white throne with butterflies all around me – probably because I love butterflies. t’s a very vivid memory from that time.

When I was unconscious, I remember hearing my daughter and husband saying “we love you, we love you”.

My daughter said “don’t you dare go, don’t you dare die mum” and my husband was crying and said, “you can’t leave me – I need to have someone to annoy”.

When I finally woke up, I was in Westmead Hospital. I remember I could see nurses everywhere – although I think there was actually only one.

I was initially doing well with my rehabilitation but after a while I went downhill and then downhill again.

I now suffer from cognitive issues but I’ve come to terms with it. I share four children and nine beautiful grandchildren with my husband John.

Every birthday and Mother’s Day, my daughter writes in my cards that I’m the strongest woman she knows.”

– Jennifer Thow, was a registered nurse at Blacktown Hospital for 17 years before retiring three years ago after her health episode.

‘Humans of the Hospital’ is dedicated to the inspiring humans working at Westmead, Blacktown, Mount Druitt Auburn and Cumberland hospitals in western Sydney.