"Thank you for saving my life!"

I was taken to A&E in Sandwell General Hospital by ambulance with high fever, difficulty in breathing, severe pneumonia and the flu. I was so ill, they had to put me on a breathing machine and I was fighting for my life for 3 months. The staff in ITU were absolutely incredible. They were very proactive in the treatment, constantly thinking on their feet and getting other specialist hospitals involved in my care like Glenfield, who specialise in respiratory health. Even when I was given 50/50 chance of survival they didn't stop believing in me and gave me a chance to fight. They looked after my family as well by constantly speaking to them and updating them about my care. I had a cardiac arrest while staying on the respiratory ward, but the emergency team on call were so fast and professional and managed to bring me back without causing any significant damage to my body. When I was getting better and able to communicate the nurses on ITU were my best friends! They could always understand what I needed even though I wasn't able to produce any sound, but only by reading my lips. They were always there for me, one day even organised a SPA day in ITU where they soaked my feet in water, gave me a wash and a manicure. They were not only caring for my body but also for my mental health. The physiotherapy team were amazing too. They gave me a lot of support and confidence when I was learning to walk again after losing 70% of my muscle function. In overall Sandwell has a great ITU department run by hard working dedicated people.