Shellharbour Deputy Mayor Kellie Marsh is demonstrating remarkable dedication by continuing her council responsibilities from a hospital bed, just over a week after suffering two aneurysms. The councillor remains at Prince of Wales Hospital but has progressed from the intensive care unit, with hopes of returning home this weekend.
A Sudden Health Crisis and Swift Response
On January 19, Cr Marsh experienced two aneurysms while at home. At the time, she was on a phone call with Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer, who noticed her fading away and speaking of seeing stars. Mayor Homer immediately contacted her son to check on her and then called for an ambulance.
"I briefly thought about letting it ring and calling her back in an hour," Mayor Homer admitted, as he had been about to go for a surf when she rang. "But I picked up the call, and I'm glad I did." His quick thinking is believed to have been crucial in ensuring prompt medical attention.
Recovery and Resilience
Despite the serious health scare, Cr Marsh has maintained a positive outlook and remains engaged with her community. "It's been great actually, it's been good therapy for me," she said. "I'm still doing council things. I've still got community contacting me, which is great. It's definitely keeping me abreast of what's going on."
She acknowledged that it was "very difficult" to miss the council's annual Australia Day event, Breakfast by the Lake, but emphasised her commitment to returning to duties. "It's good we haven't got a meeting for a few weeks, but I will definitely be there," she added.
Medical specialists have expressed surprise at the speed of her recovery. "I'm seeing a few different specialists and they're actually quite surprised with how quick my recovery's been, so that's a positive," Cr Marsh noted. "I'm just getting stronger and stronger every day. I'm very, very lucky."
Community Support and Personal Humility
The community has rallied around Cr Marsh, with a GoFundMe campaign initiated to support her recovery, including a $1000 pledge from Mayor Homer. However, Cr Marsh has humbly stated that the fundraising effort is unnecessary.
"It's so lovely and it was from the heart, but there's more people in need than me," she said. "It's very kind of people, but I'm okay." She expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support, which she believes has been instrumental in her progress. "Community have just been wonderful. I think that's been such a major push-along for me, just the amount of people reaching out. It's been quite good."
Cr Marsh's resilience and dedication serve as an inspiring example of public service, even in the face of personal health challenges. Her story highlights the importance of community connections and swift action in medical emergencies.
