Francilia Thomas: the patient from Antigua and Barbuda who discovered her diagnosis in Colombia
- A team of FCV specialists diagnosed Francilia Thomas with mixed thrombophilia, a blood disease associated with the appearance of blood clots that can be lethal.
- The patient received specialized medical care for 4 months at the FCV, a hospital located in northeast Colombia. As a result of the treatment, Francilia's condition improved, and she is now back in her country.
- The FCV's International Office is an area dedicated exclusively to the accompaniment and care of patients from other countries who seek specialized medical treatment.
Bucaramanga, April 2022. Fever and a general body ache were the first signs that alerted Francilia Thomas about her health condition. After almost four months of examinations and medical check-ups in Antigua and Barbuda, she was referred to the FCV to obtain a definitive diagnosis and start treatment.
"In my country, they knew that my immune system was failing, but they couldn't understand what was happening. Doctors suspected it was a serious infection, so I was isolated for a while, but during that process, I got spots on my skin, I lost my appetite and control of my bowel", recalls Francilia.
After a complete examination at the FCV, with different services and specialties involved, the doctors discovered that Francilia was suffering from mixed thrombophilia, a blood disease characterized by blood clot formation that can be lethal.
"She arrived with multiple wounds in her upper and lower limbs as a consequence of her disease and required treatment by our Clínica del Dolor to make the care of her wounds more tolerable. She also had the support of our multidisciplinary team that included specialists in Hematology, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Coloproctology, and Plastic Surgery", says María Paula Barrera, FCV's physician of the International Office.
After her wounds treatment, skin grafts were implanted, and she started pharmacological treatment to control her disease. "I feel very well now, I can do everything. I can write, I can call my children, I can do many things I could not have done during my illness", says Francilia.
After receiving specialized care for 4 months at the FCV, Francilia, who is 51 years old, returned to her country to stay with her family. "The treatment I received was excellent. They knew how to manage my wounds to reduce the pain. I would recommend anyone who needs medical attention to come to Colombia", says Francilia.
FCV International Office
the FCV medical complex has an International Office, which is an area dedicated exclusively to the accompaniment and care of patients from other countries who seek specialized medical treatment.
Medical, logistic, and administrative areas are integrated by bilingual professionals. The purpose of the International Office goes beyond providing a medical service. The goal is to guarantee an excellent experience, it is the reason why we provide complete assistance and support, starting even before the patient arrives at the hospital.
"We are in charge of helping patients with their appointments, explaining the medication plan and the care they should take. We are recognized for providing comprehensive care, personalized accompaniment, and a completely VIP service", says María Paula Cornejo, commercial director of the FCV International Office.
