MANILA, Philippines —Former television host and actress Kris Aquino revealed that a procedure initially described as minor turned into a life-threatening medical emergency, after she briefly stopped breathing while undergoing surgery.
Aquino shared in an Instagram post on Wednesday that what was supposed to be a simple PICC line procedure resulted in a critical complication, during which her lung stopped functioning and she stopped breathing for nearly two minutes.
“THANK YOU for continuing to pray for me to get better, for having FAITH that God will make all things possible,” Aquino wrote.
“It was supposed to be a minor PICC LINE procedure BUT there was a span of time totaling almost 2 minutes when my lung stopped functioning — I stopped breathing,” she added.
She credited her anesthesiologist and two surgeons for their swift response, and said she felt reassured upon waking up to see her rheumatologist in the operating area.
“I credit my anesthesiologist, my 2 surgeons, and as soon as I awakened — the reassuring face of my rheumatologist whose concern & love I felt,” she said.
“In my post-op recovery room, it was future pediatrician/neurologist/or anesthesiologist Bimb’s kiss that made me realize we owe all of you my life — utang namin na buhay pa rin ako, the Holy Spirit guided my doctors and everyone in the OR,” Aquino continued.
She ended her post by quoting lyrics from The Beatles’ song “Let It Be.”
The update came a day after Aquino announced on Tuesday that her surgery had been delayed due to dangerously high blood pressure, which she said was triggered by severe migraines.
“This surgery was delayed from yesterday to very soon because my BP was sky high the whole of Sunday — the culprit, my migraine,” Aquino wrote at the time, thanking her pain management doctor and medical team.
Earlier that day, Aquino posted about feeling anxious and having trouble sleeping ahead of the rescheduled procedure, asking followers to pray for peace.
Aquino has been battling multiple autoimmune diseases for years, conditions that affect her muscles, connective tissues, and pain tolerance. She has undergone various treatments both locally and abroad, including a prolonged stay in the United States.
