Vicki Gunvalson, the notable face of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," recently recounted a harrowing ordeal that left her partner, Michael Smith, in sheer distress.
On Monday, August 26, Gunvalson, 62, and Smith shared their experience on the "My Friend, My Soulmate, My Podcast." Gunvalson detailed the bewildering events that led her in and out of the hospital, though her recollection is hazy.
The episode began on Thursday, August 22, when Gunvalson, while engaged with a client, suddenly began speaking incoherently. The client, a retired physician, quickly sensed something was amiss and informed Smith's daughter, Olivia, who works at the same office. Olivia was alerted that Gunvalson might be suffering from a stroke.
"I have no memory of that moment," Gunvalson shared. "Olivia immediately rushed me to the hospital."
Upon arrival, doctors diagnosed her with what they believed was merely a sinus infection and discharged her later that evening. However, Smith, who was in Scottsdale, Arizona at the time, received a call from Olivia urging him to return home.
Smith took the earliest flight back and upon his arrival, found Gunvalson nearly unconscious in a bathtub, a scene he described as one of the most terrifying moments of his life.
"I pulled her out of the water and got her to bed," Smith recounted. "The doctor suggested she needed rest, so she slept for an extraordinary 13 to 14 hours straight."
However, when Smith attempted to wake her, Gunvalson appeared disoriented and unable to walk, prompting another rushed trip to the hospital.
"She was battling a massive infection," Smith explained. "It turned out to be sepsis, which originated from pneumonia. The doctors described how the body’s immense effort to combat such an infection can overwhelm the brain and the rest of the body."
"It was a perilous situation, truly frightening," Smith added.
Gunvalson, reflecting on the ordeal, admitted, "I don’t remember much, and that’s the brain’s way of protecting itself. It’s akin to a stroke or PTSD, where the brain simply shuts down, erasing memories to shield you."
While she reassured that she is "okay" now, Gunvalson acknowledged that her energy levels remain "extremely low" as she continues to recover. She expressed deep gratitude towards Smith, whom she described as "incredible" for managing her medication, and Olivia for her unwavering support.
"I’m sleeping a lot—perhaps too much—but I just don’t have the energy to walk right now. It’s similar to the aftereffects of a stroke, and there are three days that are just a complete blank," Gunvalson added.
In a show of support, Gunvalson's RHOC co-star, Shannon Beador, took to social media to send her well wishes. "Love you, my friend! ❤️ You are one of the strongest women I know, and you will continue to get stronger each day!" Beador captioned a smiling selfie of the two on Instagram. "Nothing can keep you down! You are always in my prayers! I love you, my Aries Amiga!!! 🥰🥰🥰"
The Quran - Chapter Al-Mulk : 26 - 27
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “That knowledge is with Allah alone, and I am only sent with a clear warning.”
Then when they see the torment drawing near, the faces of the disbelievers will become gloomy, and it will be said ˹to them˺, “This is what you claimed would never come.”
