‘My mind was overactive, seeing potential horrors where there were none’
Alan, 87, tells of fears of being in hospital with Covid-19 and pneumonia
A STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands couple have spoken of their trauma and the ordeal of living through Covid-19.
Last Christmas Alan Frisby, aged 87, of Brown Edge was diagnosed with coronavirus along with pneumonia as well as his bronchitis.
After being diagnosed he was swiftly transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Alan said: “You are in a hospital bed, dependent on oxygen and the care of the nurses around you.
“You’ve said goodbye to family with no guarantee of return.
“You’re in the high dependency ward and two intensive care guys are discussing end-of-life arrangements.
“The best you can do is defer any decision until a family pow-wow, but there are no visitors.
“You try to continue breathing, ignoring the rubbish that comes up from your lungs as you force them to expel stuff hanging around inside.
“To say you’re afraid would be an understatement!
“With excellent support from the staff, I slowly reduced my oxygen dependence to the point – I was assured – I was able to be transferred home.
“What a change being at home, after being in isolation for some 10 days, not able to read, the oxygen mask clamped to my face, obscuring my reading zone.
“So I had nothing but thoughts and body maintenance to occupy my mind.
“Yes, the food was suitable. But my mind was overactive, energised by the necessary free oxygen, and seeing potential horrors where there were none.
“Going back to the ICU guys, I was certain they were about to pressurise me into signing authority to hand over possessions for the benefit of my slipping away.
“My case was complicated by age and previous medical history.
“Through the clear walls of my pod, I saw people die, I do not know their history, not even their names,
“Am I glad to be back in the village? You bet your sweet life I am!
“It is still exhausting walking the 15 paces from the lounge to the bathroom and steps have assumed mountainous proportions. Things are improving, very, very, slowly,.”
Alan’s wife José, aged 86, who also caught Covid-19, but to a lesser degree than her husband, said they would always be in the NHS’S debt for their care.
José added: “When Kerry, the covid response nurse, found that Alan was also suffering from covid and pneumonia as well as his bronchitis, she swiftly organised his going into hospital.
“It was not the news we wanted but I am indebted to her excellent attention to him before this decision had to be made.
“I was to witness first-hand the care our NHS workers are bestowing, despite the stress and overload of patients at these troubled times.
“All in the NHS, from contact here at home to those in the hospital who were caring for Alan, are struggling against impossible odds, to care not just for their patients, but also to try and help family at home.
“In this dreadful situation where you cannot visit your loved one, I will always be in their debt, not just for their care for Alan but also for their care to me.
“They are stretched to the limit and suffer stress in their lives which must be exhausting as they carry on, just doing their job.
“All they ask is that people follow the rules set out to help beat this pandemic, stay at home, and put up with being bored.
“Believe me – I would gladly have swapped with all those bored people, just to have my poorly husband at home.
“Because of their care, I now have him home and can help him recover, his progress is slow but steady.”