Ashley Park: "Miracle" Recovery from Septic Shock
Ashley Park, star of "Emily in Paris," has shared a harrowing account of her recovery from septic shock, a life-threatening condition that struck her earlier this year. In a candid interview for the Autumn 2024 issue of *Cosmopolitan*, Park revealed the details of her ordeal, which began while on holiday in the Maldives with her boyfriend and co-star, Paul Forman.
"When I went to the ER and ICU for the first time, I was in the Maldives with Paul. I don't think I would've made it without him. Everyone else was on the other side of the world from us," Park told the magazine. "Once I got there, I got really sick with tonsillitis. Then everything really started going wrong. I was in different ICUs and then air ambulances for a month. I couldn't leave because I wasn't allowed to fly. When I finally could, it was a shorter distance to Paris than to L.A., so I had to go straight to Paris to recover, not home."
The actress recounted the moment she was diagnosed with septic shock, stating, "When I woke up in the hospital and they said, 'You have septic shock,' I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I am shocked I have sepsis!' "
Septic shock is a serious medical condition that arises when an infection in the body leads to dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Park's experience with this condition comes after battling acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of 15.
She explained that humour and making light of her health struggles are crucial coping mechanisms. "As an adult, I understand what coping mechanisms are. Stuff I didn't know when I was a teenager," she said. "And even though both of the extreme illnesses I've had have been such flukes in a way - no one who's 15 should have cancer, and no one who's my age should have septic shock - I feel lucky, actually. It's been kind of a miracle how I've recovered."
Park admitted that her battle with septic shock served as a wake-up call, prompting her to prioritize her well-being. "I pushed myself too far," she confessed. "I was not listening to my body. Now, I'm thinking about my future and asking, 'Am I putting myself in a position where I'm going to be able to do my best?' That starts with my health. I'm getting back to my old self. I look and feel better, and I'm trying to stay as stable as I can and keep the same energy that people expect."
Despite her ongoing recovery, Park returned to filming season 4 of "Emily in Paris" shortly after her ordeal. "It really was just about survival for me," she said. "I can't remember anything because I was not well. But one thing I'll give myself credit for is, I don't think I'm the most talented, prettiest, any of those things. But I do the best I can, and that work ethic always means a lot. I think I'm super resilient."
Park's candid account highlights the importance of listening to your body and prioritizing your health, even in the face of demanding careers. Her resilience and determination are a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity.
