For almost two years I suffered from facial pain and I believed it was related to my teeth, as I felt pain when I ate, spoke and smiled. I consulted four dentists and underwent a number of procedures, but none of them were able to stop the pain.

It was then that I found a neurologist who diagnosed me with trigeminal neuralgia (a disorder in the nerve of the face called the trigeminal nerve) and after the diagnosis on 10/26/2018 I started taking Carbamazepine. For a month I used the drug without any adverse reaction, but I still had pain crises, so on 11/16/2018 the doctor increased the dosage.

On November 24, 2018, a week later, I began to show symptoms of redness on my skin, I sought help and the doctors believed it was just a food allergy, my symptoms increased, malaise, fever, lack of appetite, etc. began.

I spent two weeks looking for a solution, during which time they ruled out the possibility of a drug allergy and treated me with other types of medication. During this period, the symptoms only got worse: fainting, fever, lack of energy, lack of appetite, my skin began to blister, my face began to peel and I started to get infections in certain parts of my face, eyes, nose and mouth, I couldn’t even open my mouth anymore. In two weeks I went to eight doctors until one diagnosed drug poisoning, but gave me treatment to do at home.

On December 10, 2018, I was admitted to hospital with a generalized infection. When the doctor decided to admit me, I cried too much because I couldn’t bear to suffer any longer with no prospects. I began to undergo various tests, at first there was a suspicion of rheumatologic disease after a suspicion of lupus, but no test was conclusive.

On December 11, 2018, I had a biopsy of my skin so that we would know where to start the treatment. The day after, the doctor gave us the results and told us that we were running out of time, as my condition was already very advanced. The following night I started to have a fever and respiratory failure, and I spent the night being monitored and undergoing tests. On December 13, I went to the emergency room and was induced into a coma.

I woke up the first time strapped down without being able to hear my voice (I was intubated) and the second time I was strapped down, I was very agitated. I ripped off the restraints and tried to stand up in bed, and they put me back to sleep.

On December 18, my sedation was removed and I woke up from my coma, not knowing what day of the week it was, I was greeted by my father with a broad smile, happy to see me awake.

That same day I went to my room and was bedridden and dependent on oxygen for ten days, the biggest challenge of all, as I had always been active and it was depressing to see myself being bathed and wearing a diaper in a bed.

The challenge was daily, at first I couldn’t sleep, it took me days to really get to sleep. The only way I could sleep was sitting up, I couldn’t sleep in bed.

My saturation was very low, my lungs were weak, any movement of my body could cause cardiac arrest. My skin was very dark, it peeled several times, it was sensitive, and all the symptoms were very pronounced.

My psyche was very shaken, although I was fighting day after day for an achievement, I couldn’t accept the condition I was in. Waking up with eight pills for breakfast, not being able to exercise, not being able to bathe and not being able to meet my physiological needs made me angry.

I had bouts of anxiety about not being able to breathe, even when using oxygen. I had several failed attempts at trying to remove the respirator because I thought I would never be able to do without it.

I struggled to adapt to the diet, because I used a feeding tube I had to eat a liquid diet, a paste diet and only then a solid diet.
I had multidisciplinary support, a specialist doctor who monitored my progress every day, a nutrologist who provided supplements and vitamins, a nutritionist who prescribed my diet and pulmonary and physical physiotherapy.

On December 23, I thought I was going to spend Christmas at home. The doctor had given me hope, but then the disease hit my private parts and a new infection broke out. Once everything was under control, I was walking without oxygen and eating normally. On December 30, I was discharged from hospital and was able to return home.

The doctor was always very attentive and accommodating, the nursing staff who forgot their medication schedule, I had blood tests every day, and finding my veins was a challenge. One day I was punctured nine times to find my vein. Initially, I was sensitive to various foods: gluten, lactose, dyes and spices. I was on a diet for at least 4 months. I only had to use hypoallergenic children’s products.

When allergy tests were carried out, I acquired allergies and sensitivities to various things that I didn’t have before. And even today, a year on, I still take a lot of care. I always keep my skin hydrated with a specific moisturizer, avoid the sun because it makes me itch and it feels like an insect bite. I avoid spicy foods, dyes and preservatives in excess. Cardiorespiratory exercises make me tired easily.

It was complicated because when I left the hospital the doctors told me that everything would go back to normal, I lost 16 kg, 90% of my hair, I had trouble breathing, difficulty walking and my skin was very sensitive.
I left hospital with necrosis on my head and it wasn’t until 15 days later that the professional who followed me up removed the dead skin.
I didn’t find any professional who showed any interest in accompanying me, they were quick and simple consultations with no worries.

Before everything happened, I was in a rhythm of hard work and study and didn’t pay attention to the things that happened, but today I see that everything has a reason. Seeing the world through the eyes of hope is what I’ve learned most.

Don’t give up the fight, most days won’t be good, but understand that behind every experience there is a learning experience. It’s worth fighting, it’s worth wanting to live!