Ocean Grove woman Tess Swift’s decade long battle with flesh-eating parasite

Stricken by a rare parasite during a Thailand holiday, Ocean Grove’s Tess Swift turns to crowd-funding for help after a decade-long struggle for independence.

Tess Swift contracted a rare parasite in Thailand and is fundraising to raise money for her medical bills. Picture: Alison Wynd

An Ocean Grove woman has turned to crowdfunding 10 years after a rare and deadly parasite robbed her of the ability to be financially independent.

In 2015, a then 20-year-old Tess Swift was holidaying with her family in Thailand when she contracted gnathostomiasis, an ultra-rare and often treatment-resistant parasite that lives inside its victim for up to 20 years.

The parasite partially paralysed Ms Swift’s stomach, leaving her dependent on a feeding tube connected to her small intestine.

Tess Swift's battle with a rare parasite has seen her in and out of hospitals frequently over the last ten years. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Swift, now 30, also suffered nerve damage in other parts of her body and required invasive spinal implants alongside other invasive medical treatments and procedures.

The traumatic saga left her with depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD.

“I wouldn’t put my worst enemy through what I’ve been through in the last 10 years,” Ms Swift said.

“It’s paralysed my digestive tract and damaged my autonomic nervous system.

“So all the things that, you know, we don’t have to do anything to control, like our heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, all those sort of things, my body really struggles to regulate on its own.”

Ms Swift says she wouldn’t wish her experience on her worst enemy. Picture: Alison Wynd

Despite undergoing three rounds of highly invasive treatment that left her with liver disease and necrosis in her hips, Ms Swift’s doctors have told her the parasite is likely still alive.

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While the physical and mental impacts of her illness have been nothing short of debilitating, Ms Swift says the impact it’s had on her career and independence has also been devastating.

“I only got six months into my grad year in nursing before I had to stop working, which was really challenging because I’ve worked really hard for four years for that career only for it to be stolen from me,” she said.

“And being sick is kind of a constant reminder because I’m in hospital all the time … It’s always in the back of my head that, you know, I’m on the wrong side of the bed, that I’m the one that should be the nurse and not the patient.”

Ms Swift was able to take up some work on and off in different health-related roles in recent years, but said a sharp downturn in her health over the last 18 months made even that impossible.

“It’s a huge burden on my family, a huge financial burden on them, which I’m extremely grateful that they’re in the position to be able to help me financially because I know a lot of others don’t have that support.

“But it just doesn’t seem fair on them”.

Ms Swift’s loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to help ease that financial burden, while also organising a fundraiser on June 15.

The fundraiser will include trivia and silent auction

“Even the smallest amount can make a huge difference to helping myself and my family be able to pay my medical expenses,” Ms Swift said.

“I’m just really appreciative of anyone that is able to help or share the fundraiser or that wants to come along to the trivia event.”

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Originally published as Ocean Grove woman Tess Swift’s decade long battle with flesh-eating parasite