In a heartbreaking diary from her high-dependency hospital room, where she is battling coronavirus, a nurse has revealed how she asked medics “please not let me die.
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Courageous Kelly Ward, 35, experienced a cough after a hospital transfer and was then rushed out to ambulance 24 hours later, struggling to breathe.
The mother-of-two, who was working as a nurse for 12 years, remains severely ill at the Bradford Royal Infirmary in West Yorks on a CPAP ventilator.
More than 140 health-care workers have died battling the lethal virus so far.
Kelly explains in her diary-My Covid Trip-how she began feeling unwell following an extended weekend shift on April 19.
She wrote from her hospital bed saying: “Driving home, I immediately went really tired, feeling red hot, just didn’t feel good at all. I’ve taken myself to bed for the rest of the day and night.
“I was actually shaking and freezing my way through the spiking temps etc and was feeling difficulty in breath.”
Next day she got herself tested for Covid-19 with the help of her fiance Ryan Golding, 34, who took her herself to the hospital.
She went on to write: “We arrived home at 11.15 a.m. and I went upstairs to bed.” I followed the 111 symptoms analyzer, spoke again to my line manager and supervisor and explained that I needed to call an ambulance. They told I should really do.
Medics tried to regulate Kelly’s breathing and gave her oxygen before moving her to the A&E high-dependency cardiac monitoring unit and then to a ward.
Kelly yesterday shared her most recent entry which reads “Nine days after the symptoms started.” The doctor came this morning and said: ‘We hope you’ve turned a little bit of a corner because you were seriously sick last week.
“He said it’s going to be a slow process but I’m sure you’re through the worst now.”
“This is reality. I planned my goodbyes for my dad, my kids and my friends this time last week. At 35 years old.” It’s really hit home. So hard.”
“Yes, I’m a front-line staff, but I’m a mum and partner, so I’ve got to keep up with this battle.”
“I don’t want sympathy, I want to raise SO much awareness that this hideous illness will really strike Anyone so at any moment Please Please stay home.”