Shocking Holiday Incident: Woman’s Harrowing Experience Leaves Her Fearing for Her Life

Ah, the joys of travel! There’s nothing quite like it—until, of course, you find yourself knee-deep in mosquito bites and contemplating the sweet release of death, all while trying to enjoy a good time in Thailand. Meet Paisley Peach, a 32-year-old backpacker from Boulder, Colorado, who recently turned her Southeast Asian adventure into a harrowing tale of dengue fever that might give you the willies and a chuckle simultaneously.

Paisley was living her best life, touring the wonders of Thailand alongside her husband Julian De Prince, 31. They had plans—big plans—of adventure before possibly entering the chaotic world of parenthood. But instead of savoring coconut water on a beach, the couple found themselves practically drop-kicking the ill-fated “fun” when they were hit by a wave of insatiable mosquito bites. You know, the kind that whispers sweet nothings like, “I’m here to ruin your vacation” while buzzing in your ear.

As their fevers skyrocketed in perfect sync, Paisley’s experience took a dramatic turn when she fainted in the bathroom—because, naturally, that’s how the universe decides to make its points. “I’ve never been hospitalized in my life,” she reflected, “but with dengue, I thought I was about to die!” Yes, dear readers, picture her thinking she was auditioning for a role in the latest medical drama—pain, confusion, and drama all rolled into one highly symbolic fainting spell.

Now, before you clutch your pearls, let’s set the scene in September 2023. The couple was raving on Ko Pha Ngan, surrounded by the sea, sun, and unfriendly mosquitoes—they were all part of the mix. And what was her plan to repel said mosquitoes? Tea tree oil. Because why not? “I guess we must have been bitten by the same mosquito,” she recalled, with a hint of irony. Because nothing says romance quite like sharing a disease on a lovely tropical island.

Then came the fever—the kind that makes you question your life choices. With no thermometer at hand but an innate ability to feel the heat rising, Paisley decided to test for COVID, of course, and when that came back negative, she was left with a conundrum: “Was it the food? The mosquitoes? Or perhaps the very essence of life itself?”

Eventually, the couple fled their hostel for a secluded Airbnb, accessed only by water taxi—a romantic getaway turned health crisis. “I couldn’t sleep,” Paisley lamented, “I felt like all my bones were breaking.” So poetic, right? She might as well have been writing a gothic novel while hugging a hot water bottle.

Her condition escalated to the point of collapse—an idyllic vacation taking a nosedive into a drama you’d only expect to see in a movie. “Something was very, very wrong,” she could only lament when she finally managed to grab the attention of medical professionals, who quickly informed her that she had dengue. Delightful!

With her platelet count plummeting to alarming levels, the hospital became her second home—complete with blood tests every four hours and delightful doses of IV drips. Talk about an unexpected vacation itinerary! But fear not, dear reader; by the third day, she could manage to eat some plain rice and bites of mashed potato—culinary triumph amidst chaos!

Once her ordeal softened into a story worth telling, she reflected on her main regret: foregoing bug spray for tea tree oil due to her fantastical fears of chemicals. “I was always afraid of bug spray because of the chemicals,” she admitted, misguidedly opting for the natural approach. “But it doesn’t seem to work for me anymore,” she concluded, perhaps with a resigned shrug of her shoulders.

Paisley’s takeaway? “Always get vaccinated, and don’t be afraid of wearing bug spray.” A true gem of wisdom, and a reminder that sometimes life has a very cruel sense of humor. So, dear adventurers, consider this a tip: pack the bug spray—and perhaps leave the tea tree oil for your hair care regimen.