'I woke up and I couldn't speak': Celebrity chef Anna Polyviou reveals her shock health scare and hospitalisation

Celebrity chef Anna Polyviou has revealed a health scare she experienced this time last year.

The pastry chef and TV star, 46, shared a candid message to her Instagram 12 months after she was rushed to hospital with terrifying symptoms.

"12 months ago today, I woke up and I couldn't speak. I was told I had to go straight to hospital ... They thought I'd had a stroke," Polyviou wrote.

"I ended up being in hospital for 16 days getting jabbed, tested, scanned, you name it.

"I couldn't swallow. I couldn't talk properly. I had no answers at the start."

While doctors were left confused at first, Polyvious says "eventually they found it".

"[They found] an infection in my skull, in the bone marrow," she explained.

"[It] wasn't looking good as [there's] only ever been two cases in Australia and I was one of them."

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Polyviou added that learning about her infection was "one of the scariest discussions" of her life and she "was off work for months" as she underwent treatment.

"[I was] restricted in so many ways. Forced to slow down when slowing down is the one thing I never do."

Now, Polyvious says she is doing much better and is looking back on what was a challenging year with gratitude.

"Grateful for the doctors and nurses who helped me through it all," she wrote.

"Grateful for my loved ones, family and friends who showed up ... [and] grateful that I'm here working, creating, laughing, living."

"This year taught me strength I didn't know I had," she continued.

"It taught me to appreciate everything - my health, my voice, my passion, my people.

"I gave it my all to get back to where I am today and I'm proud, so damn proud.

"Here's to a year of healing ... and to whatever magic comes next."

Polyviou shared her heartfelt message with a series of photos and videos from her stay at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Since sharing the post to Instagram, it has been inundated with messages of support from friends, family, colleagues and fans.

"You my friend are magic. Here's to a fabulous and healthy year ahead," wrote Aussie TV presenter and author Melissa Doyle.

"You're not a quitter! So glad you're okay Anna & feeling better than ever. That whole experience sounds so traumatic," wrote cake baker, social media star and author Katherine Sabbath.

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