A Journey of Hope: Nicole Dzouali’s Recovery

Nicole Dzouali, a 35-year-old originally from Cameroon, experienced sudden-onset episodes of breathlessness for a few months and never thought of them as more than stress-induced. However, she started to have increasing issues with her breath, as well as persistent fatigue. Nicole previously had a stroke, so she labelled this breathlessness as more serious each time it got worse. After a few days of worry, she went back to her doctors in her homeland, who took tests that revealed a shocking diagnosis – multiple pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in her lungs. This was shocking news to Nicole and her family. Pulmonary embolism can be a serious condition, and it is deadly, requiring immediate medical care. Additionally, Nicole had a history of stroke, which complicated the condition even more. Initially, the doctors began discussing the possibility of an embolectomy and an ASD repair surgery, both invasive cardiac surgeries. The patience in Nicole was primarily fear of having to provide informed consent for invasive surgery, but also acknowledgement of only getting one opportunity to have the best medical care, and then obtain optimal rehabilitation for her to survive and recover. Meeting Dr. S.N. Khanna at Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon Nicole’s family started hunting for advanced treatment outside of Cameroon. The insurance provider, Zenith Insurance, had provided Nicole’s family with international medical travel assistance. Nicole’s case was taken over by Amit Bansal (CEO), who guided her through the process of navigating treatment abroad in India. India has become a centre for advanced yet affordable medical care, particularly in cardiology and pulmonary medicine. For Nicole, their family was presented with treatment options, and after careful consideration, they decided on Artemis Hospital in Gurugram, India, under the medical care of Dr. S.N. Khanna, a cardiologist and cardiac surgeon with an excellent reputation. The thought of travelling abroad for treatment can be daunting, but Nicole was supported all the way through the process. The team handling Nicole’s case ensured that there would be visa assistance, airport transfers, and complete coordination with the hospital. For anyone dealing with fear and illness, seamless support like this is invaluable. The Treatment and Recovery When Nicole arrived in India on June 1, 2025, with her family, she was feeling anxious about her health and possible surgical needs. Still, she was comforted by the fantastic welcome she received. There was no need for Nicole to worry about her logistics for arrival: Nicole’s visa, hospital admissions, and travel to the hospital from the airport were all taken care of, allowing her to focus solely on her health. Once Nicole was admitted to Artemis Hospital, Dr. Khanna and his team performed thorough investigations. Modern imaging and extensive cardiac testing confirmed the presence of multiple pulmonary emboli and the well-documented ASD. The initial surgical plan was for embolectomy and ASD repair. However, after multidisciplinary discussion involving multiple specialities and careful evaluation, the team made a highly significant decision that Nicole could be safely managed medically without surgery. Instead of surgical management, Dr Khanna’s team implemented a personalised medical management strategy for her treatment, which included: Anticoagulation therapy which is used to help dissolve existing clots and also to prevent further clots by inhibiting blood clotting. Heart-lung support therapies to help stabilise her breathing and circulation. Continuity of care with close surveillance in a critical care environment, with the team watching her condition 24-7. The medical team’s conservative strategy proved successful. During her medical care, Nicole’s recovery progressed very nicely. She noted a significant decrease in breathlessness, an increase in energy, and most importantly, no surgery was required. Nicole was in the hospital for 20 days, which meant she was under constant observation. This was not an easy time; however, Nicole was comforted by the kindness of the medical staff as well as the support of MediGence, who provided her with comprehensive support to ensure her needs were met while she received medical care as well as when she was not in a medical situation. Ultimately, Nicole and her family were most appreciative of the comprehensive support they received throughout their medical experience. It wasn’t just doctors and medicines; it was the holistic care that surrounded them all. The services offered by MediGence from beginning to end included: Visa Support: Ensuring that Nicole’s documents were correctly processed. Airport Transfers: A coordinated pick-up and drop-off service to surprise her upon her arrival and hospital transition. Full Support (“All Services”): Daily coordination with doctors and translators, and managing all arrangements for Nicole and family, all by professionalism. Exceptional Support: Specific personal attention to Nicole’s case, including a previous stroke, and how it figured into the treatment options available. Empathy and family like treatment which gave her moral strength and exceptional clarity about the treatment with warmth. This extra layer of non-medical support allowed the family of Nicole to feel comfortable in an unfamiliar country. They could focus on her health rather than logistics. Discharge and Recovery By 7th July 2025, and nearing a month of healthcare service, Nicole’s condition had stabilised. Nicole’s oxygen levels continued to normalise, her heart was functioning optimally, and the medication managing the anticoagulation treatment was effective. Nicole was discharged with supervision, a fit-to-fly certificate and a clear follow-up plan in place. She was encouraged to continue her medications, have regular health checks, and keep in meaningful communication with her doctors, even after her return to Cameroon. Before she left, Nicole was eager to thank Dr. Khanna, the nursing staff and the entire facilitation team. Nicole is under the impression that the team not only provided life-saving services but also gave her the confidence to live a healthier and more stable life moving forward. Nicole’s journey also illustrates the value of international medical support. Travelling to another country for medical care can be a daunting experience, especially for someone with a life-threatening medical condition. However, with a helpful support system to guide her, followed by a coordinated service with compassion, patients like Nicole can navigate an unfamiliar system and feel safe and supported. A Message of Hope Today, Nicole is home with her family and is excited for this second chance at life. Nicole’s journey from Cameroon to India, from fear to recovery, illustrates how a health crisis and the support of advanced healthcare can profoundly impact a person’s life. She continues to contact her doctors, follow their guidelines, medications and lifestyle changes and is committed to recovering her health. More importantly to Nicole, her story is now shared to inspire and provide hope to others in her community who may be facing a health crisis.