She finally learned the truth and was taken to an isolation ward that had been quickly set up as it became clear Mr. Sawyer\u2019s infection had spread. It was in an old building, with rats and mosquitoes around, she says. There were male and female wards. She didn\u2019t receive any experimental drugs or transfusions of blood from survivors, treatments that have been given to U.S. and European patients and that scientists and doctors believe may help. There was no one to check the levels of potassium and other electrolytes in her body; imbalances can lead to arrhythmia or organ damage.<\/p>\n
The ward had just one doctor, who was able to come by only once or twice a day. He would help clean the floor, soiled with vomit and feces by women who were too sick to make it to the toilet or clean up after themselves. \u201cThe nurses were so scared, they wouldn\u2019t enter the room. They would put out food in front of the door and we\u2019d have to go and get our food ourselves,\u201d\u009d Dr. Igonoh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was told 90% of the treatment was dependent on me,\u201d\u009d she said. She was determined to survive. \u201cI said, even if it\u2019s just a 1% survival rate, I will be part of that 1%,\u201d\u009d she said.<\/p>\n
She had her iPad with her and looked up everything she could find about the disease. She learned that most victims of Ebola die of shock brought on by their severe dehydration, so she drank oral rehydration solution \u201clike my life depended on it.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n