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2 MARCH, 2021
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Survivor’s living ‘hell’ By Tara Murray Peter Thomson wasn’t sure he would survive having coronavirus. The 61-year-old was already suffering health problems when the virus hit him hard last August, forcing doctors to make the decision to put him in a coma and on a ventilator. Peter doesn’t remember much of that first month in hospital fighting for his life. It would be six weeks before he was free of COVID-19 and he could be moved out off the coronavirus ward to a normal ward. More than six months later, Peter is still suffering the side effects of the virus and remains hospitalised. “I’ve been in hospital since August,” he said. “It was touch or go if I lived or not. I was petrified.
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I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy
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- Peter Thomson
“For a lot of people it’s [coronavirus] not just three or four days being crook. Those people are the lucky ones. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” Peter described the past six months as “hell”. His once booming voice is now quiet as he struggles to breath properly. He has to use a wheelchair to get around. “It hit the lungs pretty badly, they weren’t 100 per cent beforehand,” Peter said. “Coronavirus will hit whatever part of the body that is not 100 per cent. “I’ve had bowel trouble most of my life and it’s made them worse. I’ve had blood clots and a blood infection. “My smell went completely and hasn’t come back after six and a half months. I’ve only got about 30 per cent of my taste and don’t really taste what I’m eating.” Peter also needs knee surgery, but isn’t sure whether it’s due to pre-existing health issues or due to the side effects of COVID-19. However, doctors have ruled out surgery any time soon because of the condition of his lungs. Peter said the long stint in hospital had affected his mental health, as he struggles with not being able to live his life. He said his depression has increased 10-fold since being sick, while the slightest thing makes him anxious.
Peter Thomson was diagnosed with COVID-19 in August last year and is still in hospital. (Damjan Janevski) 229489_01
Peter, who was nominated for the Brimbank Citizen of the Year this year, said he was unsure whether he would be able to return to his community work. He’s currently unable to be part of the Brimbank Register, which would normally involve him calling Brimbank residents for a chat. “The doctors can’t tell me if my voice will go back to normal,” he said.
“I just don’t know what I’ll be able to do. There’s so much that is still unknown.” As well as the ongoing health problems, Peter is frustrated by the lack of information available about people who are still suffering. “People don’t know about it,” he said. “How many people are still in the hospital with side effects? “You don’t hear about the numbers who are still affected by it. When you finish feeling sick,
Open House Create The Future 12484307-SG10-21
that isn’t always it. “It’s an extremely dangerous virus and it needs to be taken seriously.” He is looking to start a group for people who have been through similar situations. “If you’re finding yourself having side effects a few months down the track, go and see your doctor. There are still so many unknowns.” Peter is hoping to get into rehabilitation soon and begin the process of going home.
Morning Campus Tours Tour 1: 9:20 am Tour 2: 10:30 am
Monday 15th March 2021
6:00pm Welcome and Information 6:15pm Presentation by College Principal 6:30pm Interactive Tours
Attendance at the Open House evening or school tours MUST be pre-booked at https://bit.ly/3axSCpL
Held in C Block at Junior Campus, Deer Park 88 Billingham Road, Deer Park