Serbia's patient zero: I still can't breathe normally, I can barely stand, my lungs are not the same

"It has been more than two months since I got coronavirus, antibodies have been created, but my lungs have not recovered. The doctors told me that I have to rest for another month. I was released from the hospital on March 28, but I still can't breathe normally and can barely move," Igor Djantar,, a businessman from Backa Topola, who was the first in Serbia to be diagnosed with the vicious disease on March 6, has told the daily Informer.

"I go to my company for an hour or two, I can't do any more work, I can barely stand on my feet and I have to go home to lie down. One thing is for sure, my lungs will never be the same again," Djantar begins his story.

He said he had a check-up two days ago. The news the doctors gave him was not good.

"It has been two months since I was admitted to the hospital and exactly one month since I was 'cured'. Unfortunately, the doctors told me that my lungs are not in good condition yet. I have to rest for another month, and then be back for another check-up. In the 40 days that have passed since I left the hospital, I tried to return to a normal life, but that was not possible. I still feel like I'm sick, I'm aware that my lungs will never be like before coronavirus. That has been confirmed to me by the doctors," says Djantar.

This successful businessman still cannot erase the scenes from his head of him in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, people around him were dying every day.

"I was in the hospital for a total of 24 days, of which the seven most difficult ones in intensive care. Those horrible scenes keep coming back to me and I will never be able to forget them. I was lying there alone, not knowing if I would make it... And around me, people whose condition is getting worse, who are dying...," he remembers.

Djantar says that he was the happiest when he was able reunite with his family at home.

"I hadn't seen my family for a total of one month and I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital to see them again. And then I hear some of my friends complain that curfews would last the whole weekend, and I wonder and I can't understand why that was a problem to them," says Djantar.

But, he adds, people seem to be taking many things too lightly when it comes to coronavirus.

"I managed to avoid the ventilator, and look how long it's taking me to recover. Just imagine the consequences for those who were on a ventilator! It seems to me that many people look at everything quite lightly. Believe me, coronavirus is a serious opponent which if you underestimate, you can bear the consequences your whole life, not to mention that the worst can happen, too. Here, let my example serve as a reminder all prescribed measures should be respected, that's the least everyone can do for themselves," Djantar made his appeals.

Lifetime friendship with doctors

This businessman once again used the opportunity to praise the doctors and the medical staff, whom he believes are to credit for his recovery.

"They are all so wonderful that it cannot be put into words. Every second they were by my side, helping me, fighting for my life. When it was the hardest, they encouraged me and brought me pictures drawn by my children to give me extra strength. Everyone was happy when I came out of the hospital and now when they saw me during check-ups. We will remain friends for life," says Jantar.

Blood plasma donation after full recovery

Djantar also said that he decided to donate his blood plasma, and pleaded with everyone who has defeated coronavirus to do the same in order to save someone's life.

"I have antibodies and I wanted to donate plasma after this check-up, but the doctors concluded that my condition is not good enough yet, and a person must be healthy to do it. As soon as I am completely healed, I will donate plasma. And I ask everyone who has beaten coronavirus to do the same. Remember how you felt and what you went through," says Djantar.

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(Telegraf.rs)