Winchester Woman Recounts How Sip of Water Forever Changed Her Life

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The summer after college graduation is meant for backpacking through Europe, searching for that perfect job, meeting that one person who instantly completes you, or just figuring out what the next phase of life is.

But for one Winchester woman, the summer following her college graduation was the beginning of a nightmarish roller coaster ride.

On June 8, 2009, just days following her graduation, Nicole Luongo strolled through a local Barnes Nobles in an effort to beat the day’s heat and humidity. Little did she know, an unforeseen medical emergency was about to change her life, and put her hopes, dreams and plans on hold for the foreseeable future.

“I passed out in Barnes and Nobles, setting off a six-year medical journey that has changed my entire view of not only myself, but the people around me,” Luongo said.

Loungo was rushed to the hospital, where she would remain for three months of testing. Despite the extensive examination, numerous doctors could not determine the cause of her excruciating pain.

“I was essentially a guinea pig. Every inch of my body was tested and retested. The examinations were so invasive. I still have nightmares,” Luongo recalled.

Two hospitals and dozens of doctors later, an endoscopy revealed Luongo’s immune system in her gut was severely compromised. At that point, doctors were inching closer and closer to finding out what was actually causing the puzzling sickness.

Luongo was asked about what liquids she had consumed in recent weeks. She immediately thought back to her college graduation. She recalled the hundreds of students packed into the sauna-like auditorium, many of whom battled like puppies for a single sip of water from a nearby fountain. She was one of those graduates who had consumed the water.

One doctor finally figured it out. Luongo was diagnosed with giardia, a common waterborne intestinal infection caused by a parasite. It’s commonly found in municipal water supplies, among other places, according to The Mayo Clinic.

“I wasn’t able to fight off any infections. It could have been potentially fatal,” Luongo said.

Loungo was told immediate chemotherapy-like infusions were needed to boost her immune system. The procedure was much less evasive, but it did cause extreme exhaustion.

“I was told I’d have either 10 years or less depending on if my infusions worked properly. There were moments when I got so tired of being sick. Instead of crying, I would become angry, angrier than I’ve ever been in my life,” Luongo said.

After countless doctors appointments, Luongo eventually got a handle on her immune deficiency, but it wasn’t for long. A year later, a case of meningitis landed her back in the hospital for several days. The same sickness struck again the following year. Both cases were a direct result of her deficiency.

“The roller-coaster ride I was on … It seemed like I was never getting off,” Luongo said.

Three years later, Luongo finally settled down, avoiding any further health relapses. Luongo may have missed out on some of the most crucial years of her life, but the experience taught her to be thankful for second chances.

“I’d give anything to get those six years back, but I’ve managed to move past that, and get to a point where I can have my life back. I am ready to take on the world again,” Luongo said. “Whoever said ‘don’t drink the water’ wasn’t kidding.”