Shock update for bride airlifted back to US after suffering 'life-threatening' illness while on honeymoon in Japan

Published: 06:14, 12 May 2026 | Updated: 06:17, 12 May 2026 A Texas nurse who was airlifted back to the United States after suffering a life-threatening illness while on her dream honeymoon in Japan has undergone a 'miraculous' recovery. Sarah Danh, 27, was admitted to an emergency room in Tokyo just two days after she and her new husband, Luke Gradl, 28, arrived in the city. She was then diagnosed with acute liver failure, kidney failure and intracranial brain pressure as she suffered from symptoms including jaundice, vomiting, fever, body aches and 'extreme' hepatic encephalopathy - a serious decline in brain function caused by severe liver disease. Just before she was airlifted back to Texas, where she works as a labor and delivery nurse, Danh also suffered a stroke, which is believed to have caused bilateral brain damage. Doctors then warned her family she may never wake up from a coma or regain normal function even as she underwent transplant surgery on April 21. But Danh has seemingly beaten the odds, with her uncle, Khang Le, sharing a photo of the nurse awake and smiling in her hospital bed on Monday. On the wall next to her were signs that read 'Welcome Home Sarah' with messages from her colleagues at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak in San Antonio, along with others wishing for her to 'Get well soon.' Sarah Danh, 27, was admitted to an emergency room in Tokyo just two days after she and her new husband, Luke Gradl, 28, arrived in the city for their honeymoon last month Her uncle shared a photo on Monday of Danh sitting up in her hospital bed and smiling 'Sarah's recovery continues to feel nothing short of a miracle,' Khang posted on Monday, as he shared an update from Danh's mother, Le Le, and father, Danny Le. 'She has progressed faster than anyone anticipated and we are incredibly grateful for the outstanding care she has received - especially from the medical team at Methodist Hospital and the liver specialist at Methodist Transplant Hospital.' 'One of the most meaningful milestones has been her ability to remember, recognize and communicate with family and friends,' he continued.  'Physically, she is gaining strength each day and making steady, encouraging progress.'  Khang also wrote that his niece's liver is 'stable,' though some fluctuations in liver function are to be expected.  In the meantime, he said, Danh's care team is continuing to monitor her. Khang has provided updates on his niece's condition since she returned to the Lone Star State last month. He said she first started to show 'signs of improvement' on April 26, when she started taking 'a few weak breaths on her own,' even though she remained hooked up to a breathing machine. Danh works as a labor and delivery nurse at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak in San Antonio She was diagnosed with acute liver failure at a hospital in Japan  She started to show 'signs of improvement' late last month, when she gently squeezed her mother's hand Khang also said at the time that Danh had given the family 'small but deeply meaningful signs' that she knows they are by her side as they hoped 'she may be slowly emerging from the coma.' 'She gently squeezed her mom's hand while her mom stood beside her, and she faintly nodded when asked if she could hear,' Khang wrote. 'These moments brought tears of joy and relief to her parents and our entire family.' Then on April 30, Khang announced that Danh was no longer on life support and was able to breathe on her own. 'She has also been able to wiggle her toes and move her arms,' the worried uncle wrote, adding that doctors helped her stand that morning - and she was even able to 'take a few small steps' with assistance. But, Khang said at the time, 'Although her physical condition is improving, she is still far from being able to do basic things such as taking a sip of water, eating, controlling her fingers, opening her mouth or saying any words.'  Family members had originally been warned that Danh may never wake up from a coma or regain normal function Her family thanked everyone for their continued 'heartfelt support and prayers' Family members also discovered at the time that her memory had been affected by the sudden liver failure. 'She has been able to express discomfort, sadness and happiness, and she smiles, cries and even giggles when I say silly things to get a reaction from her,' Khang shared. 'Her emotions seem to be present, but they often come and go.'  Danh is now set to undergo physical and cognitive therapy at TIRR Rehabilitation in Houston, her uncle said. 'We are deeply thankful for how far she has come and remain hopeful and optimistic about what lies ahead,' he wrote on Facebook Monday. The post concluded with the family thanking everyone for their continued 'heartfelt support and prayers' after an online fundraiser to help the family with medical expenses was paused when it reached more than $187,000. It had an initial goal of just $50,000. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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