A Standish woman says she feels lucky to be alive as she struggles with a complicated pregnancy.

Chantelle Gallia, 23, was hospitalized at Maine Medical Center on Aug. 13 and diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms – blood clots in each lung – and deep vein thrombosis – a large blood clot in her left leg. The blood clots were a complication of her pregnancy. She was 10 weeks pregnant at the time.

Gallia had been rushed to the hospital twice, first to Mercy Hospital and then to Maine Medical Center, in the two weeks prior to her diagnosis. First she was told she had a muscle sprain in her back, and the second time was told she was dehydrated and malnourished because of her pregnancy, she said.

After she was diagnosed with severe blood clots, Gallia spent six days in the hospital. The doctors started administering a blood thinner, which prevents the blood clots from getting bigger. Her body will break up the blood clots on its own. While Gallia said a portion of her expenses are covered by health insurance, the blood thinner and hospital visits are still costly. The blood thinner, which she administers twice each day and needs to be refilled nearly every 10 days, costs $283.

Now, to help the family with some of those mounting medical expenses, Gallia’s mother, Dina Tompson, also of Standish, is hosting a carnival to raise money.

The carnival will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, from noon-4 p.m. and will feature games and prizes, a bounce house, chair massages, a photo booth and more. There is no admission fee, but activities will cost $1 each to participate, Tompson said. All funds raised will go to Gallia, her husband, Eric, 29, and their son, Liam, 2.

The carnival will be held outside at 35 Blake Road in Standish. Tompson said Michael Sullivan and Doug Wright, the property owners and friends of the family, have allowed the use of the property for the event.

Tompson said she thought it was an appropriate way to benefit the Gallias because “family is everything to them, and I wanted something where families could be involved.”

Several local businesses have donated prizes for a raffle, including Pit Stop Fuels, which donated 100 gallons of home heating fuel or propane, and Windham Tattoo and Body, which is raffling three $35 gift certificates.

Gallia said she is grateful for the care she received at Maine Med during her stay. “It could have been so much worse,” she said.

Still, she said her experience has taught her, “if you feel like something is wrong, keep fighting. Even if doctors tell you there’s nothing wrong.”

An ultrasound two weeks ago showed Gallia’s baby is healthy. She is 16 weeks pregnant.

Gallia said she is feeling much better, but is still very limited physically. In the two weeks leading up to her diagnosis, she had difficulty breathing and was in severe pain, she said. Although some of her symptoms have improved, she cannot stand up without her heart racing.

She has been placed on sick leave from her work at J. C. Penney until after she delivers. But she said it’s difficult for her to take care of her 2-year-old son, Liam, or do work around the house because of her condition.

“It’s really hard for me. I can’t get up to play with (Liam) or chase him around the house,” she said.

Eric Gallia, 29, who works as a line cook at Texas Roadhouse in Scarborough, as well as other family members, have been helpful in keeping up with Liam and household chores, she said.

“Living on one income is going to be tough,” Gallia said. “But we’re just taking it one day at a time.”

A closer look

A benefit carnival will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, from noon-4 p.m., at 35 Blake Road in Standish. It will feature games and prizes, a bounce house, chair massages, a photo booth and more. There is no entrance fee, but activities will cost $1 each. All funds raised will go to help with the Gallia family’s medical expenses. Those interested in making a donation can also do so through the family’s gofundme account.