Patients thank the teams who cared for them while in hospital with coronavirus (COVID-19) Patients who have recently been treated for coronavirus (COVID-19) at PAHT have shared their stories and words of appreciation to the staff who cared for them. As they return to their daily lives, three patients discussed their experience of coronavirus (COVID-19) and their stay at our hospital.
Mum-of-two Carmel Smith, 55, a school office manager from Waltham Abbey, said: I first felt unwell on the afternoon of Saturday, 7 March. I hadn’t travelled anywhere previously or been in touch with anyone who had. I didn’t really know what was wrong, I just didn’t feel right. I went to bed early and the following day I still felt unwell with a bad headache, generally quite achy and it was hard to stay awake. I then just felt worse and worse with a temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea, a tight chest and a dry cough and I don’t remember the rest of that week much. On Saturday, 14 March, I was awake all night with the light and radio on, just to hear another
Carmel Smith. voice. I felt so ill that I really didn’t know what to do with myself. The next day I spoke to my dad and he felt that I needed hospital care, but I kept hoping that I would feel better. I got to the point that I was struggling to walk 20 steps from my bedroom to the bathroom and I knew I needed help, so I called an ambulance. I was then admitted to The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. The first couple of days in hospital were a bit of a blur. I slept a lot, and was on oxygen and intravenous (IV) antibiotics. I was still achy everywhere, with an upset stomach and my chest hurt. I was quite tearful much of the time I was there. The days felt very long and the nights even longer. On the Wednesday after I was admitted, my mum was admitted to a different hospital,
and two days later my dad and sister were admitted to another hospital. They were all diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). My brother was also ill at his home at that time with the same symptoms. I found it very difficult to deal with as by then the seriousness of the virus was really starting to sink in and I was convinced that I might not see my parents again, as both of them are in their 80s and have other health issues. Every single person who was involved with my care was amazingly supportive and caring. When I rang the bell for assistance, somebody came to me immediately, and nothing was too much trouble for anyone, ever. Every single person, from the cleaners to the consultant, were cheerful, attentive and reassuring. Although I felt like I’d been run over by a bus, I always felt that 3
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