Bachteler was forced to relearn how to walk and pause her coaching ambitions before Burnley brought her back in July to manage the women’s team.
Her recovery remains incomplete, and she continues to experience post-sepsis syndrome, including severe tiredness and episodes of dizziness.
Bachteler felt unwell during a pre-season friendly several weeks ago.
“The weather was extremely hot, and the sun was shining directly at the bench. When I stood up in the second half, I felt unsteady, almost as if I had drunk too much wine.”
“I was incredibly dizzy. After giving instructions and speaking to the team, I went to the cafe at the venue and asked whether I could sit inside their freezer.”
“I needed time to settle myself. Then I began crying because my nervous system is still healing, and the entire experience has been extremely difficult.”
Bachteler expressed gratitude for Burnley’s help throughout her recovery, explaining that the club’s medical staff “saved her life” and connected her with a respiratory specialist.
Players have sent her encouraging messages, while her “outstanding” coaching team has taken responsibility for some of her duties.
Although her family has also stood by her, the emotional strain has remained considerable.
She remembers an incident in May, shortly after her parents arrived from the United States, when intense dizziness forced her to leave a restaurant.
“We went out for Sunday dinner, and the restaurant was noisy. I suddenly became very dizzy, and they could tell something was wrong. On the walk back, I was trembling and completely disoriented,” she explained.
“Both of my parents began to cry. In some ways, I think the experience was even more painful for them. Talking about how this affected my family still makes me emotional.”
“When my wife was finally allowed to visit me in hospital, she immediately broke down after seeing how much weight I had lost.”
“I had always been athletic and physically strong, yet I suddenly could not walk. She had to support me as I made my way down the stairs.”
Bachteler is continuing respiratory treatment designed to strengthen her lungs.
She still experiences exhaustion, memory problems, mental cloudiness and frequent dizziness, while pushing herself too far can cause her body to shake.
“Despite everything, I am making good progress. I feel around 70% to 80% like Jackie again, thanks to the club, its medical team and the NHS, although the situation came dangerously close to ending differently.”
“Had I returned home that day after the emergency department initially attempted to discharge me, I would not be here now.”
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