The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
GENE’S ‘MIRACLE’ RETURN
Gene’s ‘miraculous’ return home after fourmonth hospital battle with COVID-19
Black Valley man home after four-month Covid battle in hospital
“IT is a miracle to have him home again,” were the words of his sister Susan Tangney this week following the return home of Black Valley man Gene Tangney who has been fighting Covid-19 for four months in University Hospital Kerry.
Having spent 16 weeks in hospital, much of which was spent in an induced coma, Gene was reunited with his family on Friday last.
Though he has a long road ahead of him the Tangney family are thrilled that Gene is home safe with all those who love him, and so too are the people of Kerry who have been praying and lighting candles for the man who has become a symbol of hope in the county.
“We had no idea until Friday evening that Gene would be coming home. We are so so happy. It is like all our Christmases have come at once. We never thought the day would come,” his sister Susan told The Kerryman
It was particularly poignant for Gene’s father, Michael ‘Dykie’ Tangney, who has been praying for his son’s recovery since he went into hospital in early April and who was shocked to see his son return home finally last Friday evening in what was a surprise for him.
“We took Dad out for a drive and when he came back Gene was home.”
Gene began showing symptoms of the deadly virus just after St Patrick’s Day. After two weeks at home with no improvement he was admitted to University Hospital Kerry, where he spent 16 weeks fighting a gruelling battle against the illness with his family and friends praying for his recovery.
His son and daughter Feidhlim and Fiadhna are overjoyed to have him home and the family now hope that with their support Gene’s recovery will quicken.
While he remains in a weakened state, on oxygen, he is getting better daily.
“He has a long road ahead but thanks be to God he is home. He is on oxygen as his lungs need to repair. It is one day at a time,” said Susan.
“It has been 16 weeks of hell but we are out the other side.”
The Tangney family are eternally grateful for the care from UHK that Gene received.
“Gene was blessed that he had such a great team. The staff are amazing.”
THE hard trek around the Ring of Kerry by cyclists on Saturday was worth every second when they returned to the Gleneagle Hotel on Saturday evening – and waiting for them was the man who it was all in honour of: Gene Tangney.
Having spent four months in University Hospital Kerry fighting COVID-19, Gene finally got to return home on Friday evening, much to the pleasant surprise of his family, and just hours before a cycle to raise funds for the ICU Unit that cared for him.
And despite the difficult road ahead, Gene managed to come and meet the team of cyclists who took on the Ring challenge to says thanks to Unversity Hospital Kerry for his care.
Though the Ring of Kerry cycle was cancelled this year in light of the global pandemic, Denis Geaney and his team decided to take on the Ring to raise funds for University Hospital Kerry to say thanks for the wonderful care shown to Gene during his long stay and difficult battle against the horrific virus.
Denis has been taking part in the cycle for its entire history and was thrilled to get on the road again for a very worthy cause. By all accounts it was a Ring of Kerry cycle that won’t be forgotten with more singing than cycling, and lively music at popular spots on route. But of course there was plenty to be happy about both for the cyclists and the Tangney family, with the return home of Gene to the bosom of his family.
“The HSE and Government restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic didn’t deter our team and the amazing Tangney family of raising money and lifting people’s spirits,” Denis said.
For Gene this was so important, and having received the wonderful news on Saturday morning that Gene was home, there were so many reasons to sing and dance our way around the Ring of Kerry,” he added.
Fundraising has reached almost €21,000, and the Tangney family are very grateful for the wonderful donations, and for the ICU unit for the care they gave Gene during his 16-week hospital stay.
“Gene was blessed that he had the team at UHK beside him. They are amazing people over at the hospital. They will never just how much it means to us what they did for Gene and for us,” said Susan Tangney.
To donate to the cause, the GoFundMe page is https:// gf.me/u/ygcrtc