Covid ‘Medical Miracle’ Laura is back home
SHE’S been described by her doctors as a medical miracle, and last Tuesday, Laura Barry returned to her Highlands home after an extremely close-call with Covid 19.
The 58-year-old mum had spent the last nine weeks in ICU in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda after falling ill on April 1st.
Her family had feared the worst at one stage, as she was put into an induced coma and onto a ventilator, but the brave battler defied all odds to be welcomed back home last week by close friends and family.
“It’s absolutely incredible to have her back home, something we really thought mightn’t happen there for a while,” says he delighted daughter Emma (25).
“I really can’t say enough about the ICU staff either; they were amazing and gave her the best possible care, throughout the whole thing.”
The drama started back at the end of March, when Laura felt unwell, but she wasn’t overly concerned, as the symptoms didn’t match those in the news.
“She didn’t display what the classic symptoms were until her temperature shot up overnight, and she developed a slight cough,” explains her daughter.
“Because she is diabetic, her doctor was quite concerned, and told her to go to A & E, and she was admitted to the Newgrange ward, waiting for a test.”
While she was there, her oxygen levels dropped dramatically, and she was taken to the intensive care unit.
“It all happened quite quickly and they decided to put her into an induced coma and put her on a ventilator through a tracheostomy to help her breathe, and by Good Friday, her doctors rang us and were not overly optimistic about how she was doing,” says Emma.
“They told us to assume the worst, as she got pneumonia and sepsis but they didn’t realise what a battler she is, and a few days later, they were calling her their ‘Medical Miracle’ for turning the corner.”
Laura really has been through the wars, and her family weren’t able to visit it throughout the ordeal, so had to rely on the staff to provide the care she needed.
“Towards the end, they began to lighten her sedation, and we were able to make video calls to her, and it meant so much to us, and we are so grateful to the ICU staff for letting us to that, and for how well she was looked after,’ she says.
“We also want to thank the hundreds of people all over the world who were praying for her to get better, and she says she could feel the strength from that.”
Laura is back in the loving arms of her husband John, and other children Lisa and Stephen now too.
“My sister Nicola passed away in 2014 from a tumour and Mam says she could feel her presence too at one stage and it brought her a lot of comfort.” says Emma.
“We are very excited to have her back home, but will have to be really careful, as the last thing we want is for her to contract it again and end up back in hospital.”
The fifth annual Stabannon to Spain 100km challenge in memory of Nicola Barry has moved online this year, and all proceeds will go towards helping our frontline staff.
A total of 2,495kms must be travelled to reach Lebrija, where Nicola used to teach English to Spanish students.
Nicola sadly lost her battle with cancer at the age of 26 and was the goalie for Stabannon Ladies GFC. As a testament to the amazing staff in the unit whose dedicated hard work, care and compassion helped see Nicola’s mam Laura through to good health again, Nicola’s friends and family would like to make a donation in her memory to the unit.
“I play with the Stabannon Parnells GFC too, and as it can’t go ahead, the challenge can be achieved by walking, running or cycling and all ages can take part,” adds Emma.
More details can be found on their the Stabannon Parnells facebook page.