It's true. You never know what a new day will bring, and for Sabrina, her surprise literally took her breath away.

Alarming Symptoms

On Friday, July 28, 2023, Sabrina was working when she began experiencing sudden and alarming symptoms, including shortness of breath and severe back pain. So, she was initially seen at an urgent care facility close to her home and work. There, it was determined she had muscle spasms in her back, leading to shortness of breath. Her treatment included muscle relaxers, and she was cleared to return to work on Monday.  

Sabrina recalls, "The symptoms came on suddenly, and I'd been perfectly healthy before, never having experienced anything like this, so I trusted that the muscle relaxers would help."

That Saturday, Sabrina spent the day relaxing, but her struggles to breathe were evident. She thought her fatigue was a result of the muscle relaxers, but by early Sunday morning, Sabrina's symptoms had grown worse, and this time, her family insisted on taking her to a local hospital emergency room. 

Through x-rays, the care team diagnosed Sabrina with hypoxia, a pulmonary embolism in her right lung as well as double pneumonia. Her symptoms were severe, so she was admitted to the hospital.

A Swift Transfer to WakeMed

By Monday morning, July 31, Sabrina had crashed and needed to be sedated and intubated. As her health continued to deteriorate overnight, it was determined she'd need to be transferred to WakeMed Raleigh Campus for more advanced care. Travis Manasco, MD, of WakeMed Critical Care, was in constant communication with the hospital to assist with a speedy and coordinated transfer to WakeMed. He spoke with the family before her transfer,  and on August 1, she was taken to WakeMed.

"We are deeply moved by Sabrina's remarkable recovery," shares Dr. Manasco, "and her ability to resume her life. Collective expertise and prompt intervention were crucial in her care. It is the dedication and teamwork of our staff that underscore our commitment to health and healing."

Numerous Medical Interventions for Life-Saving Care

Later that morning, after her arrival, the care team gained consent to administer Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) to Sabrina. This is an advanced therapeutic intervention that performs the work of a patient's heart and lungs when the body is unable to do so. 

The team was a flurry of activity as they each worked hard to administer life-saving ECMO care. Sabrina also received labs, imaging and various tests. Daily x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, bronchoscopies, extubating, tracheostomy and thoracostomy. 

WakeMed Infectious Disease additionally ran numerous tests and identified streptococcus pneumoniae and a fungal infection evidenced through a Karius.

With care led by WakeMed critical care physicians, Eric Olson, MD, Christoper Dunatov, MD, and Daniel Fox, MD, as well as the cardiothoracic surgery team and medical intensive care unit nurses Sabrina was hospitalized for a total of 52 days. Her progress was slow and uncertain. Providers waited patiently for signs of healing. 

Sabrina's Return to Health

Today, Sabrina is back at work for a pest control company and feeling good. 

"I feel great," she expounds. "I'm also back to enjoying my hobbies, which include taxidermy, hunting, collecting, spending time with my family, enjoying animals, knitting, sewing, painting and building Lego sets. I am once again loving life and am so grateful to be able to breathe."

About WakeMed Critical Care

WakeMed features the highest level of critical care services available in Wake County. Our highly trained physicians and staff offer quality specialized care for patients of all ages.

In fact, among our critical care units and services, WakeMed features the highest level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the county’s only Neuro Intensive Care Unit and the county’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. These critical care units are supported by board-certified specialty physicians, intensivists, nurses and allied health professionals. If you or your family member has a critical care health need, WakeMed is the place to be.

Critical Care Units and Services

• Neuro ICU — Neuro Intensive Care Unit
• CTSICU — Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit
• CVICU — Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
• STICU — Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit
• MICU —Medical Intensive Care Unit
• PICU — Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• NICU — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• eICU — eICU Service
• Cary Hospital Intensive Care Services
• Mobile Critical Care

All adult critical care units at WakeMed are also supported by the WakeMed eICU Service, providing an extra layer of support for intensive care patients in addition to the critical care nurses and physicians at the bedside.

About WakeMed Infectious Diseases

WakeMed Infectious Diseases provide assistance to referring physicians in the management of acute and chronic infectious diseases. Our specialists work with your personal physician to determine which diagnostic tests are appropriate. If treatment is necessary, your doctor and our team will work together to develop a treatment plan best suited to your needs.

About WakeMed Raleigh Campus

As part of the Raymond L. Champ Centers for Emergency Medicine on our Raleigh Campus, the adult emergency department is available around the clock, 365 days a year to treat everything from minor cuts and broken arms to something more serious like stroke, a heart attack or major trauma.