They were awake the WHOLE TIME

Mahmood Ayazi attempted to smuggle his new wife, Katan Safawi, into the United States via a checked suitcase after she faced visa issues in Frankfurt. Their desperate plan resulted in Katan's death by suffocation during the flight, likely due to other luggage piling on her in the cargo hold. This extreme measure highlights the perilous risks individuals undertake when legal pathways to immigration are blocked.

Katan willingly got into the suitcase after visa issues prevented her from boarding the plane. She was alive when she entered, but died during the flight from suffocation due to luggage piling on her. Mahmood, upon discovering her death, panicked, removed the tags, and abandoned the suitcase.

Leonid Rogozov, the sole doctor on a Soviet Antarctic expedition, developed acute appendicitis. With no possibility of external medical aid due to a blizzard and extreme remoteness, Rogozov performed a self-appendectomy. He administered local anesthetics, used a mirror to guide his incisions, and relied on untrained colleagues for basic assistance, demonstrating extraordinary courage and medical ingenuity under dire circumstances.

Leonid was the only doctor at the research station. He diagnosed himself with acute appendicitis and, recognizing the life-or-death situation, decided to operate. He performed the surgery while awake, using local anesthetics, and had assistants hold a mirror and hand him instruments.

Both stories illustrate the profound psychological impact of extreme situations. Mahmood's overwhelming grief and guilt after Katan's death led to his suicide just three days later. Leonid, despite his success, endured horrific pain and the mental strain of operating on himself, showcasing the immense fortitude required to survive such an ordeal.

Mahmood exhibited extreme anxiety and paranoia after landing, disconnecting the phone and avoiding friends, ultimately taking his own life three days later. Leonid experienced blurred vision, ringing ears, and sharp stabbing pains during his self-surgery, nearly passing out from blood loss and shock.