With long strides and a wide smile, the 24-year-old Nikolche Stojcheski from Prilep was rushing through the hospital hallway towards the Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Neurology. He was anxiously waiting to see and surprise Dr. Milcho Demerdziev and Dr. Ljupcho Stojkovski. He reached the door, opened it and strongly and proudly exclaimed: “Doctors, watch me. I am walking on my own. I am standing on my feet.”

COMPLETE PARALYZATION IN 4-5 DAYS

Nikolche has come for follow up one month after being discharged from hospital with severe polyradiculoneuritis, which is a serious condition that tied him to the bed. His hospital journey started with non-significant symptoms that resulted from a stomach virus, to the moment he lost controll of his whole body and became immobile.

“I felt great tiredness in my arms and legs, I couldn’t move and walk. I was constantly falling in the last couple of days. One day on my way home, I fell just as I was getting out of the car. I was wondering how I was able to drive the car. The next day my condition was even worse,” explained Nikolche, who was taken to the hospital after this event.

YOU SHOULD PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE WORST

The family had hopelessly wandered through different hospitals for five days instead of instantly confirming the diagnosis and treatment, while Nikolche’s condition rapidly worsened. He eventually couldn’t feel his body and was paralyzed from head to toe. “His legs were initially paralyzed and it later spread to his arms. His jaw started to stiffen and he couldn’t eat. Since his condition was becoming worse day by day, we came to Skopje at our request. All of this was happening within a few days. By the time we came here, his entire body was numb and we panicked. Finally, we were told that the situation Nikolche was in could end badly and that we should prepare for the worst. As a mother, I was the only one that was calm and decided to came to Acibadem Sistina Hospital,” explained Cveta Stojcheska, while watching her son Nikolche. She hugged him and said: “I can’t imagine want would have happened if we didn’t come here.”

THE DIAGNOSIS WAS SET AFTER 5 DAYS OF WANDERING

Nikolche was immediately hospitalized at Acibadem Sistina Hospital with a diagnosis that was initially set by Dr. Milcho Demerdziev, a severe form of polyradiculoneuritis. Every moment was important to save the life of this young boy. “The following day, the condition dramatically deteriorated, the disease progressed and he was transferred to the ICU. He was intubated and placed on a respirator due to the severe saturation. His facial nerves and mimics were affected and he became completely immovable. Since the disease didn’t normalize, he was placed on a cannula for 4-5 days, as well as a tracheostoma to prevent the risk from scarring the trachea, which heals very slowly,” said Dr. Milcho Demerdziev.

BLOOD FILTRATIONEVERY TWO DAYS

After a week of fighting, the first minimal, but significant signs of improvement appeared. Nikolche began to move his femurs and shoulders.

“Since the disease is autoimmune, 4-5 plasmapheresis were made and his blood was cleansed every 2-3 days from the antibodies. All measures to prevent respiratory infections and decubitus were taken. From the first day at the hospital, Nikolche had massages to activate his complete immobility. Two weeks after he started moving, we took him at the Department where he started an intensive physical treatment,” explained Dr. Milcho Demerdziev.

HOME AFTER 34 DAYS OF FIGHTING

After 34 days spent in the hospital, Nikolche went home. Due to being persistent, in just two weeks he was back on his feet and after a month, he began to move on his own. Now that he has a second chance at life, he says that he will live it at full speed because you can never know what will happen the next morning. The disease is in his past, the only memories are his new friendships with the doctors and the staff of Acibadem Sistina Hospital.

DON’T LOSE HOPE

“I am very pleased with your service, you deserve an A. I was never left alone, neither at the ICU nor at the Department. A whole team of doctors cared for me. Ivica, both Ivanas and Sashe were constantly with me. When they had free time they kept me company. They helped me getting my hope back that I will get better and will stand up on my feet. I will also mention Ana Antovska, who visited me every day and made sure my nutrition was best. I advise other patients to never lose hope because there is cure for everything.” said Nikolche for the time spent at Acibadem Sistina Hospital.

THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH RESULTED POSITIVELY

“The timely multidisciplinary approach in treating these diseases, part of which is the plasmapheresis approach, resulted positively. It is a procedure that we routinely perform because of the experience of the team. This procedure contributed to the rapid recovery of Nikolche. Plasmapheresis is a change of the body plasma, thus purifying the antibodies that cause the disease,” explained Dr. Ljupcho Stojkovski.

SPECIAL NUTRITION FOR NIKOLCHE

“Dr. Ljupcho Stojkovski called me to take care of the nutrition of a young boy who needed a special hypercaloric and hyperprotein food intake. We headed to the Intensive Care Unit together and I met Nikolche for first time. He had no appetite, was a little anxious and afraid to swallow, thus he wasn’t getting enough nutrients. We talked and agreed that he had to start eating food in order to heal. Nikolche accepted my advices and started to gain strength and weight. I was overjoyed. I went to see him two or three times a day. We discussed each meal and I checked whether he takes enough calories and nutrients. I was particularly happy when he phoned me one day after being discharged. He called to tell me that he is eating as we agreed, that I shouldn’t worry and that he is feeling wonderful. There is no price to the satisfaction after such successful cooperation, which is based on trust. My profession has another name, it is called love!” said Ana Antovska, Nutritionist.