Kings College Hospital, Great Hospital Hike, Falmouth nurse

Olivia Wills from Falmouth was studying paediatric nursing in Plymouth in 2019 when she went to her GP with symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and feeling generally unwell.

Olivia is ready for the big hike with her dad Simon (Image: Supplied)

Her GP was concerned and told her to go to A&E. Having walked there herself she was admitted and spent the next few days in hospital where it was realised she was actually more unwell than initially thought.

"I was deteriorating rapidly, with worsening symptoms which now also included slurred speech, confusion, severe pain whilst also falling in and out of consciousness,” Olivia told the Packet. “My blood test results were also showing I was seriously unwell and my team had major concerns for my health.

“It was decided that I needed to be taken down to the intensive care unit. I was then placed on life support and rushed to King's College Hospital in London. I was suffering with severe acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy, along with some further complications.”

Olivia spent nine days in a medically induced coma fighting for her life where her family were told she may not survive because she was in such a critical condition.

However, after nine days on life support she woke up and without the need for a new liver but she still faced serious challenges.

“Upon waking up from my coma, I was unable to do anything for myself," she said. "I couldn't sit up, walk, brush my own hair, etc.

“I received lots of physiotherapy to help me relearn to do these tasks. “A few weeks after this, I was finally wheeled out of Kings to be discharged home, where I would continue my recovery.”

Olivia and her dad Simon in their King's College Hospital t-shirts (Image: Supplied)

She said the experience was something physically and psychologically difficult for the whole family. So much so that her dad Simon, also from Falmouth, wanted to change his perspective on the situation.

Less than a month after Olivia’s discharge from hospital, he enquired about donating a kidney to a stranger.

Olivia said he always said he felt compelled to help someone else in a similar position because they were once relying on another family to say yes to organ donation to save her life.

He also says this was as a thank you to the NHS for saving his daughter’s life and seeing the amazing work King's did for organ donation. This donation finally went ahead on November 17, 2021 and it was a success.

Olivia's dad Simon in hospital following his kidney donation to a stranger (Image: Supplied)

“Although this critical illness journey occurred during my first year of my nursing degree, it didn't stop me from pursuing my chosen career,” said Olivia. “After a couple of interruptions in my studies and five years at university, I am proud to say that I have just qualified as a paediatric nurse.

“This has certainly been a challenge whilst also still living with multiple chronic illnesses which includes Ehler’s Danlos syndrome, stomach problems requiring a surgical feeding tube and Fowler’s Syndrome meaning I am a catheter user.”

Now, along with the rest of her family, Olivia has been asked to lead Kings College Hospital biggest charity event across London called the 'Great Hospital Hike' on September 16.

“This is an 18 mile hike across London which will certainly be a challenge,” says Olivia “but nothing compares to what they've done for us as a family.

Olivia had the opportunity to return to King's in June 2022, to meet some of the staff that cared for her in the ICU (Image: Supplied)

“Just over four years on and we still talk about the amazing staff that cared for me and how this has had such a positive lasting impact on our lives. So, we want to show our appreciation by doing something to help the work they do.”

To raise money for the hike Olivia has set up a Justgiving page which can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greathospitalhike202318mileroute-oliviawills