On June 9, 2024, the Bedford, New Hampshire mother of three celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony. It is a milestone she nearly did not live to see following a medical emergency less than a year ago.

“I had a routine hysterectomy the Friday before Thanksgiving in 2023,” says Kelli Shaw. “A few days later, I started to feel sick. My husband drove me to a local hospital with a terrible stomachache – and I went downhill fast,” she says.

Kelli Shaw was battling strep bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome. Her heart and lungs rapidly began to fail.