Vaginal mesh campaigner Chrissy Brajcic dies from sepsis after four-year battle
The 42-year-old set up a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of the mesh after she had one implanted following childbirth.
Tuesday 5 December 2017 11:29, UK
Vaginal mesh campaigner Chrissy Brajcic has died reportedly from sepsis after a four-year battle with persistent infections.
The 42-year-old Canadian's husband Tony confirmed her death on Facebook after she set up a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of mesh implants, used to treat organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
The plastic implants can be used to support organs such as the vagina, uterus, bowel, bladder or urethra which have prolapsed during childbirth.
However, they can shrink, twist and cut through internal tissue and have left many in unbearable pain.
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During her final months, she posted a series videos, attracting thousands of views on Facebook, detailing her struggle with the controversial device.
In one of her final online posts, she vowed to "never stop fighting" for her cause and added: "This is a life or death issue."
Following her death last week, her husband wrote: "It's clear by all of your messages that Chrissy was truly a special woman and touched the lives of many people."
Sky's Charlotte Lomas-Farley said: "Chrissy was a tireless campaigner against mesh and got in touch with me to help highlight the devastating complications she had suffered as part of my reporting on this issue.
"She was such a kind and beautiful woman who went to great lengths to give support to others - even sending me photos and information from her hospital bed to fight for the cause.
"She was loved among the Sling the Mesh campaign group in the UK and valued for her passion and integrity.
"She leaves behind two young boys."
Draft guidelines from UK health watchdog NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), seen by Sky News and due to be published next month, will recommend mesh should no longer be used to treat prolapse.
It won't affect mesh procedures used to treat urinary incontinence.
Earlier this year Professor Carl Heneghan, who specialises in evidence-based medicine, also warned against the implants and said some of the devices had not been clinically tested and, "unlike in the Thalidomide scandal, you are unable to see the extent of the women's injuries".
Women affected have been left unable to walk with some reporting organ erosion, nerve damage and loss of sexual function.
Mrs Brajcic had her polypropylene mesh TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) implanted four years ago after she gave birth.
The type of mesh is the most commonly prescribed in the UK to treat mild incontinence.
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However, she suffered nerve damage and was in constant pain following the procedure.
After an operation to remove the device a year later, she was back in hospital being treated for urinary tract infections, eventually becoming resistant to antibiotics.
She was readmitted to hospital suffering from sepsis in October.
In one of her final posts, Mrs Brajcic wrote: "Funny how after going septic and almost dying now I'm getting respect and being treated well by doctors.
"All it took was dying to get better care and better pain management. I will take it... it's better than fighting for my care."