38-year-old Denis Vejzović from Rijeka is fighting for his life in a coma in Ireland after an aneurysm rupture. While the family desperately raises funds for his return home, Irish doctors have announced the possibility of withdrawing treatment.
In their home in Rijeka's Zamet neighborhood, the silence is heavier than any noise. Agan Vejzović, father of 38-year-old Denis, holds a photo of his smiling son in his hands. That smile left for Ireland ten years ago in search of a better life. Today, Denis lies in a coma at a hospital in Cork, and his family is enduring agony as they try to prevent what doctors have openly hinted at-being taken off life support.
"How can I come to terms with them wanting to turn off the machines while his heart is still beating? He's only 38. We don't need miracles; we just need a chance to bring him home to Rijeka," said his father Agan in a calm voice for Glas Istre. His wife immediately flew to Ireland to be by their son's side, while he remained in Rijeka. A neighbor, a close friend of Denis who speaks fluent English, is helping them communicate with the hospital.
Nothing hinted at tragedy that Tuesday. Denis had breakfast and was planning his workday. "I sent him a package, and he told me he'd pick it up the next day, but he didn't answer, so I got worried," recalls his father Agan. He learned what had happened from his friend and godfather, Dino Smojver, who is also in Ireland.
"That morning, he felt terribly dizzy and couldn't see well, so an ambulance was called. He was brought to the hospital in critical condition, underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured brain aneurysm, and has been in a coma ever since," his father recounted. The family refuses to give up because, as they say, Denis's eyes are open, he blinks, and he reacts to familiar voices and sounds.
Thanks to a fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform, more than 3,300 donors have raised over €89,000 in just a few days. "Thanks to your help, we managed to find transport for Denis, we found hospitals that would accept him, and we received recommendations for excellent doctors who have already helped many people in similar situations," wrote Dino Smojver.
However, an unexpected obstacle has arisen. The medical team in Ireland cannot hand over Denis's complete medical records to the family due to strict Irish patient privacy laws. "The problem is that the medical team caring for Denis cannot provide his medical records from the start of treatment to us, or even to his mother who is currently with him in Cork," explained Smojver. The records can only be forwarded to the hospital that will continue his treatment, all because Denis never gave anyone power of attorney for such situations.
In the meantime, a glimmer of hope has emerged. "The embassy contacted us and said that the Croatian Ministry of Health is currently reviewing Denis's entire case and working on arranging his transport to Croatia," said Smojver. Croatia would ensure his care in the best-equipped hospital, and the family has been asked not to take further steps as the institutions will take over coordination.
Still, time is running out. Doctors have made it clear to the family that, in their opinion, Denis's condition will not change in the next 72 hours, and a new meeting with the neurosurgeon is scheduled. "In the meantime, the Croatian Embassy in Ireland has also become involved, and for now, we have some hope that there's a chance to bring him back to Croatia," says his father Agan.
The family and friends are asking everyone who can help to do so. Funds are needed for specialized air medical transport with a full intensive care team, the cost of which changes hourly, while they simultaneously search for an available bed in Croatian hospitals such as KBC Rijeka or KBC Zagreb.
"Everyone who knows Denis knows what an incredible person he is. He was always there for others, spreading kindness, smiles, and offering support to everyone around him. Now he needs our help," said Dino Smojver via the GoFundMe platform, appealing to everyone to donate or share the campaign.
