The 18-year-old Melani Taseva from Skopje, one of the most severely injured in the tragic fire at the “Pulse” discotheque, has finally returned home after more than 6 months of hospital treatment. The accident that occurred on March 16 left profound consequences for the young girl – a life-threatening condition, numerous burns and gas intoxication. Due to the severity of her injuries, Melani was initially hospitalized at the private hospital Zhan Mitrev Clinic, and then transferred to the Military Medical Academy (MMA) in Belgrade. After her treatment there, she returned to Zhan Mitrev Clinic, but due to worsening of her condition, on May 5, she was transferred to Acibadem Sistina Hospital in extremely critical general condition for further treatment. Being in a serious health condition, both she and the entire team at the hospital spent 139 days fighting for recovery – day by day, step by step.
On September 19, after half a year spent in hospital corridors, intensive care and selfless support from the doctors at Acibadem Sistina Hospital and her family - Melani returned home.
INSTEAD OF PHOTOS FROM THE CONCERT, WE RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT
There is no greater joy, no stronger emotion for parents than the moment when their child, after a formidable battle, returns home to their embrace. According to Melani's family, the treatment and expertise of the Acibadem Sistina Hospital team was crucial for their child's recovery.
"March 16 was the day when time halted for many families. A tragedy that no one could have anticipated or accepted. That very weekend, Melani left Skopje travelling to Kochani, overjoyed to go to the concert of her favourite band DNK. That's how our nightmare began. Few hours later, instead of photos and messages of joy, we received a call that no parent wants to receive. They told us that there had been an accident, that there were injured, that there were casualties. Our hearts stopped, we didn't know if our child was okay, if she would return home.
When we finally saw her, despite the pain and shock – we had one feeling – gratitude that she was alive. Her eyes were full of fear and uncertainty.
We are thrilled that Melani is home after six months of hospital treatment. We went through a very challenging period, but the smile finally returned to our faces. Melani is home and recovering after the hardship we went through. Many sleepless nights, tears, fears and hopes. There are no words that can express our immense gratitude to Acibadem Sistina Hospital and the entire team that took care of our child's health. Melani was previously hospitalized in two clinics, and the road to her recovery was thorny and rough. But the working principle, the thoroughness and expertise of the doctors, differed from clinic to clinic. The persistence and sacrifice of the team, the thoroughness and the multidisciplinary approach led to her recovery," said Aleksandar, Melani's father.
LONG-TERM AND COMPLEX TREATMENT, EVERY DAY IS A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE
The treatment was long and complex, the therapy individualized and dynamic, adjusted to the young patient's condition and her response to therapy. The crises were numerous and often unpredictable. Every day in intensive care carried the risk of sepsis, multiorgan failure, severe metabolic disorders and respiratory complications. At times, the outcome was uncertain, and every intervention, every therapy and every night shift were critical for saving of her life. Prim. Beti Kostadinovska-Jordanoska, MD, PhD, specialist in anaesthesiology and intensive care at Acibadem Sistina, says that it is precisely these moments that show how important rapid reaction, experience and team coordination are in medicine.
"These conditions are among the most challenging in medicine. They require long-term, complex and constantly adapted treatment bearing high risk to the patient's life. The prognosis is often uncertain and depends on a large number of factors - the surface and degree of burns, inhalation injury, age, general health and the body's response to treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for a successful outcome. The team included doctors from different specialties - anaesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, and pulmonologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, surgeons from other specialties, microbiologists, physiatrists, nutritionists, psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as secondary medical staff: nurses, nursing assistants, physiotherapists and support staff. Modern technology, such as ECMO therapy, advanced methods for monitoring and treating burns, significantly increases the chance of survival and quality recovery, but only when combined with the dedication of the entire team. Only such coordinated cooperation can ensure complete and continuous care for the patient" - explains Dr. Beti Kostadinovska-Jordanoska.
THROUGH THE LABYRINTH OF UNPREDICTABLE CRISES
Melani was admitted in an extremely serious general condition. Previously treated in a neighbouring country in a burn centre, for more than a month.
"On admission, it was found that the burn wounds were still present, new wounds had opened on the places from where the transplants were taken or had not healed at all. On the back, there was a large decubitus ulcer caused by the longtime of lying. The condition of the lungs was also serious. Immediately after admission, a multidisciplinary medical consilium of several specialties of doctors practicing at our hospital was convened. A multidisciplinary approach was necessary, especially in burns affecting multiple organs, not just the skin. Several skin transplant surgeries were performed and the most contemporary skin substitutes and new skin grafts were placed in order to reduce trauma; the most modern antibiotics and medications that are rarely or not used at all in our country were administered. Reconstructive procedures were also performed on her fingers, most of which were preserved" - shared Prof. Dr. Boro Dzonov, specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Acibadem Sistina Hospital.
Melani's parents say that every night they waited impatiently for the morning – just to get up and go to the hospital to see their daughter. It was their only hope, the only breath of strength in those difficult days. They note that the doctors treated not only Melani – but them too. They treated their wounds, invisible to the eyes, but deep and painful in the soul. With every word, every gesture of understanding and warmth, they gave them the strength to endure.
“Besides being Melani's second home for the past 6 months, Acibadem Sistina was our second home as well. We’d wake up in the morning and would leave to Sistina with great fear and big hopes. But there we’d encounter something that’d restored our faith – true humanity. We are grateful that we received full support, understanding and empathy from the entire team. The doctors were dedicated to our child 24 hours a day – not only as doctors, but also as people with enormous hearts. They were there for us, not only as patients, but as parents going through the most arduous days of their lives. Every word they said to us, every comfort they offered, every piece of information they gave, meant more to us than they could have ever imagined. They all helped us stay strong when we were falling. In the most difficult moments, they were our greatest hope. No amount of words would be enough to express our gratitude, since thanks to them, Melani is with us today. " - shares Aleksandar Tasev.
HOPE WHERE THERE WAS ONLY FEAR AT FIRST
The frightful March 16 left deep wounds for everyone, both for the victims and the doctors, who fought day and night for each and every patient. For a doctor, the greatest reward is not their diploma – but a saved life. The moment when, after long days of uncertainty, effort and dedication, the patient leaves the hospital.
"This success has a deep and multifaceted value. After 139 days of uncertain struggle, when the patient left the hospital in a stable condition and went for home treatment, for us it is more than a medical result – it is a saved young life, confirmation of the dedication, effort and knowledge of the entire team. For the doctors, the medical staff and the support team, it is a reward that cannot be measured by anything else. Every night spent in intensive care, every intervention and every moment of uncertainty gained their meaning when we sent her home, stable and smiling. This is the greatest reward that a doctor and an entire team can receive – to see hope where at first there was only fear. This success reminds us that medicine is, above all, humanity, love and care for people, and that only together, as a team, can we overcome even the greatest challenges. It gives us strength and motivation to continue fighting for every patient, no matter how demanding the challenge." - says Dr. Jordanovska from Acibadem Sistina Hospital.
Melani’s rehabilitation continues at home, and the Tasevi family is in constant communication with the doctors from Acibadem Sistina Hospital, who provide guidance and advice to Melani for more rapid rehabilitation.
The entire medical team and all the facilities of Acibadem Sistina Hospital responded to the need to care for the injured in the Kochani accident and to treat them appropriately, while most of the funds for Melani's treatment were covered by the Health Fund.
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