A PARTY LEFT LOOKING LIKE THIS ME

For Alexa Osterman, 43, one terrible night almost destroyed her life

- CHELSEA HEATLEY, LOUISE BATY

Walking into a garden buzzing with people, I smiled as a woman pressed a glass into my hand. It was July 2020 and I was at a party with my ex-husband. Although separated, we still lived together and sometimes socialised with mutual friends. With two young children together, it was important we remained amicable for their sake, as well as giving some stability to my older child from a previous relationship.

Over the next couple of hours, I snapped pictures on my phone, laughed, danced and had a couple more drinks. I worked hard as a sales rep and reasoned I deserved to enjoy myself. But suddenly, everything became a bit of a blur and the last thing I remember, it was around 7.30pm. I seemed to black out and the next thing I knew, I was waking up on my friend's porch, the garden deserted. Where was everyone? I looked at my phone and was shocked to see it was 3.30am. I had no idea what had happened in the last few hours and, still feeling dizzy and groggy, I pulled myself up and spotted the glow of the open firepit, still ablaze on the driveway where the party had been.

EMERGENCY SURGERIES

Shivering in my ankle-length linen dress, I stumbled towards it. Growing up in the countryside, I'd always loved curling up by a roaring fire and thought I'd do that now. I figured I'd sleep off my fuzzy head for a few more hours before going home. So I added another piece of wood to the flames, sat in a chair close by and nodded off.

But when I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by bright lights, machines and people talking around me. Doctors. I was in a hospital room. My neck and chest felt unbearably tight, as though I was being crushed and my body was in agony. It was terrifying as I tried to figure out what was going on. Just then a nurse appeared.

I'm afraid you've suffered over 60% burns on your body,' she said, gently.