Rare Complication from COVID Leaves Young Doctor Paralyzed and Fighting for His Life

Two years after a rare syndrome left him paralyzed, Dr. William Dugal is back on his feet and helping patients again. His story of survival and determination has transformed his approach to medicine. Now, he’s using his experience to offer hope and empathy to others.

Doctor’s Journey to Recovery After COVID-Induced Paralysis

A North Carolina doctor is striving to rebuild his life and assist other patients after a rare syndrome left him paralyzed following a COVID-19 infection. Two years after contracting the virus, Dr. William Dugal is making remarkable strides in his recovery.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Dr. William Dugal, 34, contracted COVID-19 after attending a wedding with his family in September 2022. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare post-viral condition that left him unable to move, swallow, or breathe on his own.

Facing Death and Finding Strength

Dugal initially feared for his life, believing he would not survive the ordeal. However, his determination paid off, and after several challenging months, he began to regain movement.

A Promising Future Shattered

In September 2022, Dugal and his wife Rebecca were celebrating significant milestones: the birth of their daughter Caroline and his completion of a surgical residency. Their joy was cut short when Dugal experienced alarming symptoms following a family wedding.

Symptoms Quickly Escalate

Dugal first noticed numbness in his toes, initially attributing it to physical exertion at the wedding. The symptoms rapidly worsened, leading to severe back pain and difficulty walking within days.

An Urgent Hospital Visit

Recognizing the severity of his condition, Dugal sought medical help at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist hospital. There, he received the devastating diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition where the immune system attacks the nerves’ protective myelin layer, causing extensive nerve damage.

Unpredictable Course of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

While many recover with minor symptoms, Guillain-Barre syndrome can be deadly, particularly if paralysis affects breathing muscles. Without a cure or definitive treatment, doctors focus on supportive measures to manage the condition.

A Doctor’s Fear and Humility

Dugal was acutely aware of his dire situation, grappling with the uncertainty and severity of his condition. His symptoms rapidly worsened, leaving him completely paralyzed and unable to swallow or breathe independently.

Facing Life and Death

Placed on a ventilator, Dugal faced the reality that he might not survive. Complications like pneumonia and collapsed lungs led to dangerously low oxygen levels, necessitating the use of an ECMO machine to sustain his heart and lung functions.

Struggle for Survival

Despite spending weeks on the ventilator and ECMO, Dugal remained unable to move or communicate. Trapped in his own body, he lost contact with his surgical practice and faced further setbacks.

Rehabilitation Journey Begins

Transferred to TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston via air ambulance, Dugal began intensive rehabilitation. He lost 60 pounds and initially relied on a feeding tube, but small signs of progress, like wiggling his big toe, offered hope.

Regaining Independence

Months of in-home physical, occupational, and speech therapy followed his hospital stay. Dugal focused on relearning essential life skills, such as dressing and eating independently.

Return to Medicine

Nine months after his diagnosis, Dugal regained the ability to walk. By July 2023, he returned to work, starting in a surgical lab and eventually beginning an ECMO fellowship at the same hospital where he had been treated.

A New Perspective

Working alongside the team that saved him, Dugal now brings greater empathy and understanding to his patients. His experience has deepened his compassion, inspiring him to offer the same support to others facing similar challenges.