A patient who has recently been treated for coronavirus (COVID-19) at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust has shared her story and words of appreciation to the staff who cared for her.
This follows the story of retired healthcare assistant Margaret Ferguson, retired London black cab driver Terry Philpot, chef Lloyd Wood, school office manager Carmel Smith and nursery practitioner Very Masire.
Married great-grandmother Pippa Brunton, 62, a community care assistant from Harlow
Pippa said: “I came down with flu like symptoms – a headache and a temperature – on 2 April, so I self-isolated for a week. During this time, as I am a healthcare worker, I went to the nearby coronavirus (COVID-19) testing centre, and later found that my test was positive.
“While I was staying at home I started to feel a little bit better, but a couple of days later I found I couldn’t move, I had an extremely high temperature, and I was so weak.
“I waited a few more days, as I wasn’t too breathless. However, on 15 April, my husband, John, phoned for an ambulance because he was so worried. By this time I had become breathless and when the paramedics arrived, my oxygen levels were so low.
“I was taken to The Princess Alexandra Hospital and admitted to a ward. I was treated amazingly, everybody was an absolute star from beginning to end.
“One night, there was talk of going up to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because my oxygen levels had gone so low. I decided I wouldn’t go to sleep that night, I just wanted to keep breathing, I was so worried. I was very lucky not to need to be transferred to ICU in the end and just the thought of being back with my husband and family kept me going.
“The nurses and all of the other staff were amazing. One morning I woke up and felt weak, but in need of being washed, and a kind nurse helped by getting a bowl of water, helping me to wash from head to toe, and helping me to dress. It made me feel like a human being again.
“When the doctors said I could go home, it was emotional. It was hard being away from my family and only speaking with my husband – I have four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“I was discharged from hospital on 22 April. When I left the ward in a wheelchair, everyone clapped, but I wanted to be clapping for them, as if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be going outside.
“I was lucky that I was only in hospital for a week. My husband has been with me at home, although we have been isolating from each other, and luckily he hasn’t had symptoms.
“I feel absolutely elated that I’m alive, and I’m recovering well, apart from the fact that I’m still very weak.
“I had the best care and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals, said: “We are so glad to see that Pippa, alongside many other patients, are doing well in their recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19).
“It is fantastic to hear such high praise for our dedicated teams, who are working hard to support our patients. It means a great deal to our doctors, nurses and support staff to receive these words of gratitude.
“We encourage our patients to continue to get in touch and share thank you messages with our staff, as they are deeply appreciated.”
You can share your words of thanks with hospital staff by calling the patient experience team on
01279 827084 or emailing [email protected].