Brenna McIntosh recovering well after fight for her life

A brave Tasmanian woman who spent six days in a coma and underwent eight surgeries has reflected on the fight for her life and the “terrifying” moment her surgeon told her she didn’t think she’d make it.

A brave Tasmanian woman who spent six days in a coma and underwent eight surgeries has reflected on the fight for her life and the “terrifying” moment her surgeon told her she didn’t think she’d make it.

Brenna McIntosh’s world was turned upside down last month when a simple ‘tummy tuck’ spiralled into a life or death battle.

Miss McIntosh was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a rare and serious flesh-eating bug, and needed to be placed into a coma.

The 29-year-old spent time in two different hospitals before arriving at Melbourne’s The Alfred in early April.

The bubbly Launceston woman, who relocated to Victoria two years ago, was discharged from The Alfred on Saturday and opened up on how her recovery was going.

“I feel pretty good, considering what my body has been through,” Miss McIntosh said.

“I’m feeling much better than what I was. Being home has done wonders for me and my body. I’m sleeping so much better.”

Brenna McIntosh in a coma.

Reflecting on the month-long ordeal, Miss McIntosh said she had no idea about the severity of her condition before she was put into a coma.

“It was very confronting finding out what had happened. So many doctors and nurses had seen me, I’m a little bit traumatised by it all,” she said.

“I knew I had to get operated on and knew it was getting serious, but I had no idea what was happening or that I had necrotising fasciitis.”

Brenna McIntosh.

The emotional retail worker said a conversation with her plastic surgeon put into perspective how lucky she was to still be here.

“I asked her what happened (during the third surgery) and she said she was operating on me and the bug was spreading really quickly and I was losing a lot of blood.

“She said she looked at her boss and her boss looked at her and they didn’t think I was going to survive.

“To hear that from the actual surgeon was terrifying.”

The Launceston woman said the near-death experience made her appreciate her friends and family all the more.

“It still chokes me up (thinking about seeing her parents for the first time after the coma), I’m very blessed to be here and to actually talk about it.

“When you have been told by a surgeon she didn’t think you were going to pull through, that’s hard.

Brenna McIntosh with her father David.

“My dad has been by my side the whole time, he has not left me. Mum was well but she had to go back to Tassie.

“I’m truly blessed with the friendships I have here in Melbourne and the family and friends’ support I have down in Tassie and all around Australia. It’s been overwhelming.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family in this rough time, it’s a long road to recovery, but I’m truly, truly blessed.”

Miss McIntosh said she’d find out from doctors soon whether she could return to Tasmania and continue her recovery surrounded by family.

‘Beautiful soul’: Young woman in coma after shock diagnosis - April 6

A “genuine and bubbly” Tasmanian woman is in a coma fighting for her life after being diagnosed with an extremely rare disease, leaving her family “shocked and overwhelmed”.

Brenna McIntosh was loving life after dropping 40kg in an inspiring weight loss journey.

Miss McIntosh, who now lives in Melbourne, underwent an abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a ‘tummy tuck’, on March 23 to complete her new body.

Brenna McIntosh had lost 40kg on her fitness journey.

Eight days later Miss McIntosh thought she had an infection in her lower abdomen and went to hospital to receive antibiotics.

Things took a turn for the worse when the 29-year-old was septic and diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a rare and serious flesh-eating bug.

She was transported to two different hospitals before ending up in The Alfred, where she has been in a coma for the past six days.

Miss McIntosh has received regular Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and daily surgery to clear dead tissue and infection as her family and friends wait with bated breath.

“At the moment she is stable, they just have to keep her in the coma to keep reassessing her,” friend Lauren Vanderven said.

“Her family are overwhelmed and emotional as to be expected. They’ve had to uproot their lives to come to Melbourne and with all the restrictions in place it’s made it even more difficult.

Brenna McIntosh.

“We’re just trying to do the best we can during this period and her family are trying to be by her side to help get her through this.

“It’s just taking things day by day at the moment.”

Miss Vanderven said Miss McIntosh was born and raised in Launceston before moving to Victoria two years ago.

“She just decided one day that she wanted to move. Being a young woman she is very full of life and wanted to venture somewhere bigger.

“She’s bubbly and outgoing, she’s genuine and friends with anyone who she comes across.

“She’s big on her TikTok and social media and has met so many people. She’s just an absolutely beautiful soul.

“You never think something like this will happen.”

Miss Vanderven has launched a GoFundMe page to help the McIntosh family financially cope during this difficult time.

Brenna McIntosh.

“Brenna has made so many people smile both in-person and through social media, so let’s give her a reason to smile.”

Brenna’s brother Anthony, 26, said his parents were struggling with their daughter in a coma.

“I flew home from Melbourne this morning … They’re trying to stay strong but they’re not coping really well,” Mr McIntosh said.

“Everyone both here and in Melbourne were very shocked and sad to hear about her.”