As we approach the anniversary of the first lockdown, today 23rd March 2021, has been designated as a National Day of Reflection, which has indeed made me reflect on my own recent journey with Covid.
I fell ill with Covid in early February and rapidly declined at home, being unable to eat, drink or sleep. Whilst both my wife and two children were also ill at the same time, their symptoms were less severe, which just highlights how this virus can affect different people in such disparate ways. All have suffered from some long-term fatigue, but thankfully none of them were seriously ill.
By Sunday 14th February it felt as if my body were actually shutting down, as if I could not go on anymore. At this point my wife rang the ambulance service. From that call onwards the NHS has been amazing.
Perhaps I was fortunate that we rang early on a Sunday morning, but the crew arrived within minutes and looked after me in a calm and caring manner. My oxygen levels were low and they felt that a trip to Croydon University Hospital (CUH) was the best course of action.
On arrival at CUH I was taken straight through to Majors where the ambulance crew handed me over to the A&E team. It’s fair to say that the team descended upon me. Oxygen was connected, IV fluids and drugs were administered, bloods were taken in bottles of all sizes, an ECG was taken, the most amazing mobile X-Ray machine arrived and took an image of my lungs. Doctors and nurses appeared and re-appeared to undertake the next stage of assessment. It was frankly a well-oiled machine, whilst at the same time showing me a great level of care and understanding.
Both the ambulance crew and the A&E crew were outstanding and I’m only sorry that I was too ill to remember any of their names.
By late morning I had been transferred to Queens 2, where I spent the next 9 days.
I was in a 6-bay ward and it was full by that evening. I understood from the nurses that the numbers at that point within CUH were very high.
Over the ensuing days I received the most amazing care from virtually every member of staff that I met, at every level of the organisation, be it the morning toast, the ward round or the evening drugs round. The care of the patient was their upmost concern and drugs were administered and observations taken at regular intervals. It was striking that not only were the staff dealing with Covid issues across the bay, but also dealing with aspects of elderly, social and personal care at the same time. At times, the staff were certainly pulled in many directions.
On my first ward round the consultant told me that they had caught me on the way down. It was only really at that point that it crossed my mind that instead of going straight to the Covid ward I could have just as easily headed to intensive care. Life is indeed a delicate balance.
Thankfully, as each day passed, I felt a little better and as the week went on my oxygen intake was gradually reduced as the many drugs took effect. Throughout my time it was the chats with staff that were truly revealing. How so many of them had been stricken with Covid, that in April last year 15 members of staff were ill at one time, how some had only just come back to duty after catching it for a second time. Only three members of staff had not contracted Covid at all. All these staff were literally working on the front line and in many cases risking their lives in order to give care to those of us that were unfortunate to have taken the severe route.
Throughout, I received amazing care from Ash’Lee, Rita, Jennifer, Thaslima, Sue, Geraldine, Marie and Ella to name but a few. The whole team was amazing.
The other thing that struck me in my time in the hospital was the well wishes from so many people, a very humbling experience to know that people cared about you and were concerned about both you and your family’s welfare.
Thankfully, I am now back home and whilst recuperation has been a long process I have felt better as each week has passed and am nearing the point where I hope I can start returning to a normal working life and fully resume my Council responsibilities.
Throughout, both my work colleagues and my Council colleagues have been a tower of strength, holding the fort through some difficult times. I am truly indebted to them all.
So, as we reach Midday today, a National Day of Reflection, I will indeed reflect and contemplate:
I will be thankful that I was one of the lucky ones that made it through;
I will remember that so many have been less fortunate and lost their lives during this terrible time;
I thank my family for being such a great tower of strength and all those that have shown concern and support through this time;
I thank my colleagues who have gone that extra mile to cover my absence and ensure that the show goes on;
But most of all,
I give thanks to the NHS and CUH for frankly saving my life and putting me back on the road to health.
