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| The clinical docs stated there may be a percentage danger of survival, but after 365 days and a 1/2, my spouse unexpectedly woke up from a coma |
In November 2021, Isabel Cardoso underwent one of her breast surgeries. The operation, which took place in Brazil, was actually done to remove a tumor that involved a small incision in the breast.
But after this operation, Isabel faced the problem of lack of oxygen. Her husband Luciano says he doesn't know what caused it.
Lack of oxygen supply to the brain is called 'Cerebral Hyperoxia' which can cause severe damage to human cells within minutes. The human brain is a highly sensitive organ that requires an uninterrupted supply of oxygen and nutrients to function.
Lack of oxygen can cause many problems such as memory loss, and seizures, even a person can go into a coma. And so it was with Isabel.
Her husband explains that 'After the operation, Isabel started having severe seizures which she had to be put into a medically induced coma to control.'
"When the medication was stopped to see how Isabelle's body reacted, nothing happened," he explains. She was in a state of sleep. Sometimes she would open her eyes but we don't know if she could even see us or not.
Isabel was 45 years old at that time. Her husband was 43 years old. They had been married for 15 years and were about to adopt a child.
"We had planned our lives, dreamed of doing many things together," says Luciano. I hoped she would come out of the coma and we would be able to go home to start our lives again.'
But as time passed, the chances that Isabelle would be able to return to her old life became less and less. A person who has been in a coma for a year has very little chance of recovery.
According to research published in 2019 in the scientific journal Neurology, this probability is around four percent.
Amaury Godinho is a neurologist. They explain that this is due to the damage caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. They say that when the sensitive parts of the brain are damaged, it often does not heal.
He says that 'in such a condition in which the patient opens his eyes but does not meet anyone's eyes, we do not see the recovery of such a patient.'
According to him, children have more chances of recovery in such a condition because their brain is still developing.
"They said it can't be fixed now."
Luciano was told that he would have to take his wife home in this condition.
"It was very painful for me because I thought she would be able to stay in the hospital until she recovered," he says.
Initially, it took him time to understand how he would be able to take care of his wife at home.
However, he says that 'I did research and I came to know that in Isabel's condition, it is not good for her to stay in the hospital any longer.'
Luciano took time off from his work to take care of his wife.
However, due to bed rest, the health of such patients worsens and they require frequent visits to the hospital.
Her husband says that his wife had to go to the hospital for even the slightest illness. "Each issue used to take 15 to 20 days to resolve."
"The doctor told me that she couldn't recover and that there was only a two percent chance of her waking up."
Luciano added hope from the two percent mark.
He explains that he has researched patients who have woken up from a coma but has not found a patient with a condition similar to his wife's.
The miracle of ICU four
In March this year, Isabelle was taken to the hospital for treatment of tracheal bronchitis, but during the treatment, she started having seizures. He was shifted to the intensive care unit.
A nurse, who knew Isabelle, said good morning to her as she always did. But this time, Isabel responded surprisingly.
"When we saw Isabel, she was moving her mouth," Luciano explains. Because she had a tube in her throat we had to remove it a little bit and Isabel barely nodded my name saying she knew she was in the hospital.'
It was a very emotional moment. I remembered then that the doctor had told us only a two percent chance but my wife woke up.
The doctors and nurses involved in Isabel's treatment for a year and a half also reached there.
"It was a surprise to everyone that Isabelle woke up," said Gustavo Tare, the hospital's ICU coordinator.
He says, 'I have not seen such a case before because one day their condition was completely different and the next day they woke up in a different condition.'
It is still a mystery to doctors.
"Isabelle was not given any new drugs," says Gustavo. The hospital described the case as "the miracle of ICU Four."
Return of Isabel
This miracle awakened Luciano's hope. They knew there would be difficulties, but they were hopeful that Isabel would be able to lead a normal life once again.
"It was clear that despite all the brain damage Isabel had some memory," he says.
Isabelle remembered her name and was happy to see family members. However, he did not remember anything about his pet dog.
Luciano started Isabel's speech therapy and physical therapy at home. I took care of her hair took the help of experts. I was also taking care of the moisture of his skin.
He also sought the help of a psychologist.
This is one step per day. But I know that she can hear me and somehow she talks through all the problems, that's what gives me hope.'