A doctor who has overcome the severe form of COVID-19: staying alive is a true miracle

“Sick children are my daily routine. Throughout my work experience, I have not had the flu, or other viral infections, or comorbidities: the pediatrician begins the story of my personal fight against COVID-19. “I don’t know why COVID-19 was revealed to me in all its colors.”

A treacherous infection Jolanta fell ill in December, but cannot name exactly where it happened. “There were many patients and many risk areas at that time. No one can answer exactly now,” says the doctor.

The associate professor claims that after developing the COVID-19 illness, her temperature first rose to 38 degrees, which then dropped. “It didn’t hurt, I didn’t kiss, only after five days the smell and taste disappeared. The temperature rose again, but this time it reached almost 39 degrees, ”says the woman.

From the beginning of the disease, the doctor monitored the amount of oxygen in the blood with a special device – a pulse oximeter. Although everything looked good at first, within a few days the temperature rose again and the oxygen saturation in the blood deteriorated.

“Without expecting anything, I went to the Kaunas clinics to do more research for myself. After taking the X-rays, the doctors noticed that the first signs of pneumonia had started ”, recalls the pediatrician.

Initially, the woman entered the Second Ward of the Kaunas COVID-19 Clinics, but on the same day, due to her deteriorating condition, she was transferred to the Intensive Care Clinic. According to the head of the clinic prof. Vido Pilvinis, the patient received all currently approved treatments for severe COVID-19 disease: oxygen therapy, artificial lung ventilation, antiviral therapy, antibiotics, immune plasma from patients with COVID-19 disease.

“When I went into resuscitation, it was December 31st, fireworks were going off everywhere and I was lying wrapped in all kinds of hardware. A doctor came in on January 1 and said he would give me artificial lung ventilation. I couldn’t even react and it got dark everywhere. I don’t remember anything from that moment, “says Doc J. Kudzytė.

“COVID-19 mainly affects the lungs. After transferring Associate Professor J. Kudzytė to resuscitation, we noted that she had a marked impairment of respiratory function. Initially we supplied oxygen to the patient by non-invasive means, but the patient’s condition deteriorated, so it was decided to use artificial pulmonary ventilation ”, says prof. V. Pilvinis.

After applying artificial lung ventilation, Jolanta’s condition began to slowly improve. “Five days later, we were able to stop artificial lung ventilation and deliver oxygen non-invasively. The patient became aware and her condition was constantly improving,” recalls the professor.

The woman spent 10 days in resuscitation. Later she was transferred to the Pulmonology Clinic. The COVID-19 disease weakened the patient. Remember the scariest thing was when he realized he couldn’t get out of bed. “I thought I would get my feet out of bed and get up, but it seemed like someone was tying me to the bed. I didn’t have the strength, my legs were weak, – says the doc. J. Kudzytė. “With a lot of effort and the help of a physical therapist, I was able to get out of bed a week later and take a few steps with the walker.”

Jolanta feels good now, but admits it will take time to fully recover. “I do a lot of breathing exercises, arms, legs, I’m glad that everything is going in the right direction. During this period, I felt great support from those around me. I thank the head of the Anesthesiology Clinic prof. Andrius Macas, Head of the Intensive Care Clinic prof. Vidas Pilvinis, Head of the Pneumology Clinic prof. Skaidris Miliauskas, pulmonologist Laima Kondratavičienė, nurses and the whole team for helping to overcome this infection ”, says the pediatrician.

The woman points out that COVID-19 is a treacherous disease and its course is unpredictable, as the appearance of mild symptoms can lead to serious complications. “Everyone must act responsibly and be careful. With my own fur, I was convinced that almost one in two people dies from such severe pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 disease. While in the Intensive Care Clinic, I also saw the death of colleagues, so staying alive is really a miracle, ”says Jolanta.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rehabilitation specialists at Kaunas clinics have developed and adapted guidelines for rehabilitation after COVID-19 and provided advice on how to recover more quickly after illness at home.