Kochi ∙ On returning home from the hospital, Anusha has only one wish – to go back to school, study and work with Nimish’s doctor. Anusha revealed her wish to the doctor who treated her when she reached the Rajagiri hospital for further examination. Anusha was under treatment in Rajagiri for six months due to a disease called NMDA encephalitis, where her own immune system attacks the brain cells. Anusha, a native of Thodupuzha, was admitted to the Rajagiri hospital due to epilepsy during her 12th standard studies. Anusha showed symptoms like headache, memory loss and speech change but the family did not care. Anusha was shifted to ventilator support in the intensive care unit following a series of seizures. Neurologist Dr. Nimish Vijayakumar started treatment based on MRI and EEG test results. It was confirmed that the disease of NMDA encephalitis was done during spinal tap examination. It is a rare auto-immune condition that affects only one in fifteen lakhs.

Further tests revealed that the presence of antibodies in the blood was very high. A major challenge was selecting and adjusting drugs to reduce this. Ventilator support continued for three months to control seizures, blood pressure, high heart rate and infection. Head of Critical Care Department Dr. A special medical team was formed under the leadership of Jacob Varghese. Dr. BG Thomas Philip, Dr. Meera Haridas and Dr. Harikumar participated in the treatment. After tireless efforts by the doctors, the ventilator support was slowly controlled and the medication was reduced. Later Anusha regained consciousness. Started talking, eating and walking normally. After a 135-day hospital stay, Anusha returned home after her brain function gradually improved.