RHOC’s Vicki Gunvalson reveals diagnosis of ‘deadly’ infection

Former Real Housewives of Orange County star Vicki Gunvalson recently recounted a frightening health scare that left her with a bout of amnesia. The 62-year-old original cast member of the Bravo series shared her ordeal on the latest episode of her podcast, My Friend, My Soulmate, My Podcast. Gunvalson revealed that she was “misdiagnosed” with a sinus infection, which nearly led to a life-threatening situation.

During the podcast, Gunvalson, joined by her boyfriend Michael Smith, began by reliving the alarming day when she walked into her office speaking unintelligibly. A retired emergency room physician, who was meeting with her as a client, suggested she might be experiencing a stroke. Alarmed, Gunvalson’s daughter Olivia promptly took her to the hospital. However, doctors misdiagnosed her condition as a sinus infection and sent her home that same evening.

Smith further elaborated on the situation, explaining that Gunvalson had been battling a sinus infection for a few weeks, which had persisted longer than usual. Despite feeling slightly better after taking antibiotics, she appeared lethargic and disoriented when she returned from a recent trip to Europe. Olivia called Smith in a panic as Gunvalson seemed unaware of her surroundings.

Doctors initially fixated on her sinus infection history, leading them to overlook more critical symptoms. Consequently, they discharged her without thoroughly investigating her condition. A terrifying moment followed soon after when Smith found her unconscious in the bathtub.

Smith recounted how he pulled Gunvalson out of the bathtub and placed her in bed upon doctors’ advice to let her sleep. To Smith’s concern, she slept for an unprecedented 13 to 14 hours straight. When he tried to wake her, Gunvalson seemed disoriented and unable to walk properly, prompting fears of another potential stroke.

She was rushed back to the hospital, where doctors finally discovered a “massive infection” that had advanced to pneumonia and sepsis. Smith explained that such severe infections cause the entire body to go into defense mode, potentially affecting the brain and other vital organs due to the body’s strenuous fight against the infection.

Gunvalson received a cocktail of antibiotics, steroids, and other medications to combat the deadly infection. Her condition has since improved, although she still faces a long recovery period. She vividly recalled a conversation with a medical professional who confirmed that her survival chances were between 10 to 20 percent due to the severity of sepsis. Despite the life-threatening ordeal, she was told she would recover, although it would take time.

Currently, Gunvalson still struggles with low energy and experiences emotional distress from the traumatic experience. “I cry a lot,” she shared on the podcast, adding that Smith often questions her tears, to which she has no definitive answer.

Vicki Gunvalson became a household name as a principal cast member of Real Housewives of Orange County. She starred in the show for 14 years before leaving in 2020, although she has made several guest appearances in subsequent seasons.

Source: Bravo