A patient who spent 46 days in Intensive Care battling Coronavirus has thanked staff at Royal Derby Hospital for saving her life after being discharged home on 3 June.
70-year-old Yvonne Thompson was admitted via ambulance on 5 April after self-isolating at home for the week prior with COVID-19 symptoms, including worsening shortness of breath, which showed no signs of improving.
Yvonne, from Long Eaton, said: “I thought that my husband would be able to come in the ambulance with me, but he couldn’t and that was the last time I saw him almost nine weeks ago.”
Following her admittance, Yvonne’s condition worsened and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where she was intubated after her respiratory function continued to deteriorate.
Over the next 46 days, Yvonne’s condition improved and on 20 May, she was transferred to Ward 402 to continue her recovery.
Yvonne added: “I remember when I first woke up and found that it was May – I couldn’t believe how long it had been. They told me that it was 50/50 for me which was really scary, but the staff have saved my life, they really have.”
Donna Buckley, Staff Nurse in Intensive Care, said that Yvonne battled hard, both physically and mentally, to overcome the virus:
“She was extremely poorly when she first arrived here, but she really fought hard. Because Yvonne had a tracheostomy, she couldn’t speak well so we had to lip read but we had lots of conversations.
“Her family sent in pictures of her children and grandchildren, as well as her garden, so we had many conversations about these. Yvonne was in a side room so we would be the only people she saw all day, so it was hard for her but she did so well and to see that she’s gone home is so nice and it’s really made our day.”
Yvonne thanked everyone who was involved in her care, but had a special mention for the physiotherapists who helped her rebuild her strength:
“Everyone has been fantastic, especially the physios. They deserve a medal. When I first got onto the ward, I was so tired and I couldn’t even write my name. I don’t think anyone realises quite how bad this is.
“People I know thought I’d be home a lot sooner than now.”
Courtney Childs, Registered Nurse on Ward 402, said: “Yvonne needed a lot of support from the whole team when she came to us. It’s quite a shock to see what COVID can do to someone.
“It makes you emotional to see patients discharged, as those like Yvonne are on the ward for a while and you spend a lot of time with them building them back up once the virus is under control. It’s not always success stories with COVID, so seeing Yvonne discharged really gives us all a boost.”
Mrs Thompson recalled dreams of beans on toast while she was in Intensive Care, and had her dreams come true when she was transferred to the ward:
“You have to eat a special diet when you’re recovering and all I kept thinking about was beans on toast. So when I got to the ward, I ordered some and when it came it was like a mountain!”
Then on 3 June, Yvonne was picked up by her loving husband, David, and was discharged to an emotional guard of honour from the Discharge Assessment Unit after spending 56 days in hospital.
Lizzie Sidders, Senior Sister on the Discharge Assessment Unit, said: “It was emotional and uplifting to see Yvonne discharged after almost two months, and it was a lovely experience see her reunited and taken home by her husband, David, in the presence of so many UHDB staff.”
Just before she left the hospital, Yvonne said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing my family again, even though we’ll have to stay apart, as I haven’t seen them all for so long.”
