Woman wakes up from 9-month coma
dubai — A 35-year-old Filipina woman has woken up from a nine month-long coma after undergoing treatment and physiotherapy at Rashid Hospital in Dubai.
Perlie Almonte, who is on the path of recovery, cannot wait to go back to the Philippines to see her children.
Perlie said: “I have spent over a year and nine months at Rashid Hospital. I now consider the doctors and nurses at the hospital my family. I am truly thankful for the treatment I have received.”
The 35-year-old was admitted to the hospital in April 2015, after she was found unconscious in the bathroom of her house. The young mother of two had slipped into coma.
Dr Zeyad Al Rais, head of the critical care department at Rashid Hospital, said she slipped into a coma due to intracerebral hemorrhage, a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding within the brain tissue.
“Perlie suffered from the intracerebral hemorrhage due to aneurysmal bleeding.”
Al Rais explained that an aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an arterial wall. As the bulge grows, it becomes thinner and weaker. It can become so thin that the blood
It is very pleasant to see Perlie sitting in bed, holding her phone, chatting with her family with a bag of snacks beside her.” Dr Zeyad Al Rais, head of critical care dept, Rashid Hospital
pressure within can cause it to burst or leak.
“Perlie underwent a surgical intervention to drain the blood. Due to the critical location of the bleeding, the respiratory and hemodynamic functions were affected. She was kept on ventilator for more than two weeks, hence the decision was taken to perform tracheostomy, which helped her to gradually be weaned off the mechanical ventilation.
“We also started early physiotherapy to enhance her muscular power, while she was in the coma,” he said.
By the time Perlie regained consciousness, Dr Al Rais said he was able to start intensive active physiotherapy.
“Now, after nine months of being comatose on the ventilator with a tracheostomy tube, I am happy to say that the patient is fully conscious. Her neurological state is also stable.
“We are now working on an intensive rehabilitation plan for Perly. Our aim is to make her independent as much as possible so that she can lead a regular life. It is a very pleasant moment to see Perlie setting in bed, holding her phone, chatting with her family with a bag of snacks beside her.”
reporters@khaleejtimes.com