"My Experience of Covid"

My doctor advised me to go to the nearby Covid Hub.  They gave me steroids and antibiotics. I went home.  The next day I was struggling to breathe. 111 sent me an ambulance.  The ambulance staff were dead on, pleasant and talkative.  They took me to the Mater ED.  We had to wait for clearance.  They put me in a cubicle.  The staff asked my symptoms, took blood and did my obs.  After that I don't remember anything until I woke up in ICU in BCH Nightingale .  I spent four weeks in ICU.  When I woke up I had the ventilator in my mouth, I couldn't talk.  I couldn't move.  I tried to mouth things with my lips.  I felt scared because I didn't know what was happening.  I had confidence in some of the nurses.  I got on well with the staff.

After this, I was moved to the Covid ward 8 South.  I spent three weeks in there.  The staff were brilliant and easy to get on with.  They always spent enough time with each patient.  Some of them sat with me to keep me company.

On one occasion I needed the bedpan, pressed my buzzer.  The nurse came in with a bedpan on her own and got me to roll over so they could put the bedpan in.  It wasn't under properly.  Then left me and didn't leave me my buzzer.  10-15 minutes later they returned and asked if I was okay.  I said I was done but they left again and closed the door.  I tried shouting but no one came.  The bedpan started to rip and collapse.  Half an hour later another nurse came in, and I told them needed off the bedpan.  I was upset at this point because I'd been left and was starting to get sore.  Two nurses came back and apologised.  They got me sorted out.  One of the nurses reported the incident to the manager the following day.  This incident made me lose my confidence a wee bit, I lost a bit of trust after this too.

Two of the staff helped me gain a bit of confidence and trust back again.

I was then told I was going to Whiteabbey Nightingale and transport was booked.  It was St John's ambulance that took me to Whiteabbey.  The crew were dead on.

It was scary when I first came.  I felt lonely.

I have had OT and Physio.  It is tiring but I know I have to do it.  The OTs got me a chair and hoisted me out of bed to sit.  The chair is comfy.

The SALT have seen me.  I can now eat a normal diet again which I'm glad of.  I still need help to cut things.  The staff are helpful and pleasant.  The room is big but it's warm.  I have to have the windows open.