MITCHELL’S PLAIN ur Mitchell's Plain tise yo Adver ducts, o r p s n o ti promoild your Distributed u and band in weekly on br in ll's Pla a Tuesday Mitchedfontein – n – Stran ights & e H Pelica rk areas Galiep Christians Pa Account Manager T: 021 910 6589
Galiep.christians@media24.com X1WH3EYT-QK190121
TUESDAY 19 January 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
@ThePeoplesPost
People’s Post
COVID-19
Starting a clean slate KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@MEDIA24.COM
A
Cape Cape Town father of three says he has gained new respect for healthcare workers whom, he says, gives their all to save the lives of patients. Myron du Plooy (43), a Covid-19 pneumonia survivor, is calling on people to erase the negative perception of hospitals and medical staff. He says people’s views will change immediately when they walk through the hospital wards and see the mammoth task, to keep patients alive, that doctors and nurses face every day. Du Plooy says the fact that he’s on the road to recovery now is all thanks to the medical staff at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). The Mitchell’s Plain resident recalls that he had a high temperature and felt exhausted on Tuesday 22 December. He immediately went for a Covid-19 test the following day. His test result, which he received on Christmas day, came back negative. He was relieved, but a few days later his condition worsened. His temperature spiked to 39.4 °C and he had difficulty breathing, and a dry cough. “This prompted me to seek medical attention. Although I did not want to go to hospital at first, I thought I could nurse myself at home. But I was struggling to breathe,” explains Du Plooy. He says in his weak condition he drove himself to Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital, with his elderly parents driving behind him, to make sure he arrived there safely. “Upon arrival I was immediately given oxygen, vitals checked and x-rays taken. The doctor advised I go for another test as my x-rays confirmed possible Covid-19 pneumonia. I was sent home the next morning as my vitals was satisfactory and oxygen level above 90. I got Prednisone, Panado and Tramadol for pain.” At home his symptoms got far worse. He had a tight chest, body aches and was confused. On Thursday 31 December his second test result came back positive. On Monday 4 January he was admitted to
Myron du Plooy (43) is a Covid-19 pneumonia survivor. hospital. “I was placed on high flow oxygen as my blood oxygen level was as low as 76, blood pressure low and I was very dazed and confused. On Tuesday 5 January I was transferred to Groote Schuur and placed on high flow oxygen for a couple of days and slowly weaned off it until I was able to breathe on my own.” He says the doctors and nurses went out
of their way to make sure he and all other patients received the necessary care to recover. “I truly cannot thank them all enough because if I wasn’t admitted to hospital, I would have died at home.” He thanks God that he is alive and says his family and partner Rowena were his reasons for fighting the virus. He was discharged from hospital on Sun-
PHOTO: MYRON DUPLOOY
day 10 January. He says whatever stigmas people have about hospitals are simply not true. Du Plooy says he is nearly 10kg lighter but takes each day as a blessing. “I am more health-conscious now. I have a strict diet and I make sure I get enough rest. I self-medicate at home and rest as my body will need time to ‘reset’. Glory to God.”