Nagpur: The never-say-die spirit of a 35-yr-old Covid-19 positive woman helped her beat corona after 25 days on ventilator, and return home to her 5-year-old daughter.
Swapna Rasik, a home-maker, fought the virus for more than 45 days, from April 24.
Swapna’s both lungs were badly infected and her condition deteriorated many times during her hospital stay.
Finally, she pulled through and was reunited with her family on June 9.
“My daughter Lorina was my motivation, inspiration and source of energy to continue this fight for life,” said Swapna.
“Every time I was about to lose courage to live, I used to think about her,” she said.
Doctors who treated Swapna also mentioned that she used to speak about her daughter even when she was very serious.
Swapna had tested positive for Covid-19 on April 19, in the middle of the Covid-19 peak.
After taking medicines at home for four-five days, she finally got a bed at KRIMS hospital.
By then, the infection had spread in both her lungs.
Her SpO2 level was under 80% and was not recovering.
“Despite oxygen therapy, her SpO2 was not improving.
So, we were left with no option but to put her on non-invasive ventilator.
This ventilator was used with 100% capacity for 25 days,” said Dr Parimal Deshpande, who treated Swapna.
“It’s a rare case for sure.
It’s difficult for any person to recover after spending 25 days on ventilator,” said Dr Deshpande.
Pulmonologist Dr Swapnil Bakamwar said that despite such long stay in hospital, the patient remained safe from post-Covid infections like mucormycosis.
“Judicial use of steroids and other medicines is the key to keep the fungal infection away.
This case is evidence that proper treatment, coupled with patient support, can bring even critical patient back from Covid-19,” he said.
Dr Ashok Arbat, who led the treating team, said that their only aim was to save the mother.
“Young age and not having any major comorbidity worked in favour of Swapna.
Her love for her 5-year-old daughter played a motivating role in her journey,” said Dr Arbat, adding that her family members and especially her husband Ashish, who works in a private company, were very supportive.
After discharge, Swapna will be in home isolation for next seven days.
Ashish said that the news of Covid-19 deaths were coming from all sides during that period and doctors had asked him to be mentally prepared to get any news about Swapna.
“But her fighting spirit, our prayers and doctors’ skills saved my wife,” he said.