Ajay Manchandani saved by Barwon Health ECMO machine

A man who spent almost six weeks connected to a machine that took over his lung function at Geelong hospital has shared his alarming ordeal.

Ajay Manchandani, right, pictured with wife Kanchan. Picture: Supplied

A man who spent almost six weeks connected to a machine that took over the work of his lungs at Geelong hospital is grateful to be alive.

After abdominal pains that lasted for a few days, Ajay Manchandani presented himself to Werribee Mercy Hospital in January.

The 42-year-old, who is an executive manager in the telecommunications field, also started having shortness of breath.

Pneumonia, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream and numerous blood clots were detected.

“Fortunately I’d lived a very healthy life until then,” he said.

“It was very sudden.”

Ajay Manchandani in Geelong hospital. Picture: Supplied

After a day at that hospital, he was moved to Sunshine where he spent more than a week in the intensive care unit.

“While in Sunshine they tried to put me on a ventilator because my lungs were not working,” he said.

Mr Manchandani, who lives in Truganina, was transferred to Geelong hospital to spend 39 days with its ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine.

Considered the life support of last resort for patients with severe heart and lung failure, ECMO pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest.

Mr Manchandani, who has a four-year-old daughter, had no recollection of what transpired while on ECMO, as he was not conscious.

“It was very weird, my last memory was in Sunshine,” he said.

“I woke up on March 16 and I asked the nurses ‘what date is it?’.”

Ajay Manchandani returned to Barwon Health to thank health workers. Picture: Supplied

“Soon after I saw my wife and my mother, then I realised something big had happened.

“I had all these questions.”

Mr Manchandani was in hospital for another few weeks before a week at the McKellar Centre, and went home on April 12.

In total, he spent almost three months in hospital.

He said he was extremely grateful to the staff at Barwon Health.

“I keep thinking about everyone who looked after me here and I just don’t have enough words,” he said.

“Each one of them were all so kind, supportive, loving and caring.

“They made me feel comfortable because when I woke up I kept thinking about what happened and if I did something wrong or if it will happen again.

“But all the doctors were helpful (and made) me comfortable and reassured me.”

ECMO can be used for both cardiac and respiratory failure, and in Mr Manchandani’s case, it was used for the latter.

“The blood is taken from the patient via a cannula and circulated through a pump and oxygenator where the blood is oxygenated and carbon dioxide removed,” Barwon Health ECMO co-ordinator Lucy Range said.

“It is then returned back to the patient via a separate cannula.”

Recently, Mr Manchandani and his family stopped by the Geelong hospital ICU to reunite with and give presents to those that helped save his life.

Mr Manchandani is now in full recovery and has returned to work-part time and is keen to get back on to the badminton court.

“In terms of my strength I’m probably 50 per cent there,” he said.

Originally published as Ajay Manchandani saved by Barwon Health ECMO machine