Clare Adams, a 45-year-old holidaymaker from Widnes, Cheshire, has been told she may have only weeks to live after contracting influenza during a trip to Marmaris, Turkey, in summer 2023. The illness triggered a rare and life-threatening lung condition, leaving her reliant on oxygen and a wheelchair.
From Flu to a Devastating Diagnosis
After returning to the UK, Adams experienced severe breathlessness and heart palpitations. She was hospitalised for a week and treated for influenza, but her symptoms persisted. Doctors initially suspected long COVID, but further investigations revealed a problem with the right side of her heart. Despite multiple tests and scans showing no abnormalities, she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in November 2023. PAH is a serious condition characterised by high blood pressure in the lung's blood vessels, which can damage the right side of the heart. While influenza does not directly cause PAH, it can trigger dangerous complications in the lungs.
Further Deterioration and a Second Diagnosis
Adams' health continued to decline over the next 18 months. By May 2025, she was diagnosed with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), a rare and life-threatening cause of pulmonary hypertension. Doctors gave her a life expectancy of just weeks or months. Reflecting on the news, Adams said: "It was obviously a big shock to the system but I just refused point blank [to accept it]. I thought, I'm not letting you decide when I die." She described the hardest part as being told she could not have children, as she does not have any.
Fighting for Life and a Transplant
After consulting another specialist, Adams began treatment with epoprostenol, a medication that widens blood vessels. She has seen slight improvements over the past 12 months and lost a stone in weight. She is now fighting to qualify for a double lung transplant. Adams said: "I am in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7, having to wear a mask, as my body doesn't hold oxygen at all. I didn't think I was a strong person, but to get through this last year...it's been a steady fight of continuously just laughing through everything, working on my mindset and watching what I eat."
Writing a Children's Book to Raise Awareness
Drawing on her experiences, Adams has written a children's book titled My Auntie (Adventures with Auntie Cra Cra), available on Amazon. The book explains what it is like to live with her condition and aims to raise awareness about disability. She co-wrote the book with her nephew, who broke his kneecap playing rugby. Adams said: "It hits children really hard when people are sick. My nieces and nephews have never once treated me any differently. They've just got on with everything that has been thrown our way. I think the children can teach the adults sometimes."
