A samba dancer in Brazil, Alessandra dos Santos Silva, has shared a harrowing experience of how she went in for surgery to remove uterine fibroids and woke up with her left arm amputated.
In February, doctors admitted Alessandra, a passista at the Academicos do Grande Rio school, to Hospital da Mulher Heloneida Studart in Rio de Janeiro after her uterus scans revealed growths. The surgery complications made it necessary to perform a total hysterectomy. But the doctors could not salvage the necrotic arm, and they had to amputate it.
The hospital released the Samba dancer after the amputation, but she soon experienced complications. Her stitches raised concern, and she had to visit several hospitals before they finally admitted her. The Rio de Janeiro Health Department and the Civil Police are investigating the episode, and an inquiry will determine what happened at the Heloneida Studart Women’s Hospital.
Alessandra’s family and friends had to fight hard for her proper medical care. Her arm amputation has dashed her dreams of having children and raises concerns about how she will make a living with only one hand. Alessandra hopes that those responsible for her ordeal will be held accountable and that the hospital will take responsibility.
