{
  "id": 4649784,
  "title": "It Started With Numbness in My Face—Then I Was Left Fighting for My Life",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/it-started-with-numbness-in-my-face-then-i-was-left-fighting-for-my",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-31T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/it-started-with-numbness-in-my-face-then-i-was-left-fighting-for-my-life-12380332"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In January 2023, the author traveled to Zanzibar with her stepfather to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, she soon began experiencing intense headaches, a strange numbness in various parts of her body, and increasing nausea. Despite taking medication, her symptoms worsened. Concerned, she called her biological father, who insisted she go to the hospital immediately. At the Zanzibar hospital, multiple tests were conducted, but no diagnosis was found. It was only when someone mentioned Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) that her condition began to make sense. The author's stepfather and biological father insisted she be transferred to Nairobi, Kenya, for further treatment. After undergoing an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture, she was diagnosed with GBS. This condition occurs when the body's immune system attacks the nerves, leading to numbness and paralysis. Although the exact cause of GBS remains unclear, the author believes that a salmonella infection may have triggered her condition. As her symptoms progressed, she was intubated and required constant care. Despite the challenges, her stepfather and biological father were by her side throughout her hospital stay. After working on her recovery, she was flown back to the Netherlands in April 2023. However, she remained in the hospital until May 17, 2023, as doctors discovered a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas. This infection, combined with her GBS, severely damaged her eyes, lungs, and throat. She had to undergo hours of eye drops and antibiotic gargling. Gradually, her health improved, and she began regaining her ability to breathe, talk, and move. Throughout her recovery, she received immense support from nurses, doctors, and therapists who helped her regain her independence step by step. Despite enduring facial paralysis, a weakened left foot, neuropathy in both feet, loss of energy, and balance issues, as well as permanent damage to both eyes, the author is grateful for the care and kindness she received during her difficult journey.",
  "summary": "I am still grieving the way my face looks now. It pains me to know that I will never smile at people again.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}