Disaster struck after Goes attempted to drive to the hospital. “I drove 20km to the hospital, parked the car, and then my body stopped working,” recounted the Brazilian.
During the exam, the patient noticed that her body wouldn’t respond to commands and she was only able to wiggle two toes. Despite surviving the ordeal, Goes had to stay in the hospital for nearly a year, during which she was hooked up to breathing machines and feeding tubes. In addition, doctors prescribed the patient Pilates and other physical therapy exercises to help re-strengthen and re-tone muscles that had been atrophied by the botulism.Goes underwent physical therapy to strengthen muscles that had atrophied during her paralysis.After a grueling ten months and ten days, Goes was finally discharged and is recuperating well.