Patient Experience
A 72-year-old retired sponge diver, Ahmet, presented with acute confusion and severe headache after surfacing from a recreational dive near his old fishing grounds. Dr. Cici recognized an atypical presentation of decompression sickness complicated by a previously undiagnosed patent foramen ovale. Treatment involved a modified hyperbaric protocol coordinated with a cardiology consult, resulting in full neurological recovery after three days.
Lena, a 28-year-old Ukrainian refugee working on a charter yacht, was brought in after a chemical splash from a malfunctioning onboard cleaning system. Dr. Cici identified an unusual alkaline burn pattern requiring immediate irrigation with a specialized vinegar solution he improvised from the hospital kitchen, preventing corneal damage. Her recovery involved two weeks of follow-up with social services assisting her temporary status.
Kaan, a 16-year-old competitive windsurfer, collapsed during a regatta with severe abdominal pain. Dr. Cici diagnosed mesenteric artery syndrome exacerbated by rapid growth and extreme leanness from training. He coordinated with sports medicine to develop a gradual refeeding plan and postural adjustments, allowing return to competition in six weeks with modified technique.
A 45-year-old nomadic beekeeper, Yılmaz, arrived by donkey cart with systemic envenomation after disturbing an Africanized hybrid hive. Dr. Cici managed anaphylaxis while consulting an entomologist via video link to identify the venom profile. Treatment involved a novel combination of antivenoms from the zoo's supply, with full recovery after 48 hours of monitoring.